Royals in Medals #4: Prince Michael of Kent

His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO

Prince Michael was born on 4 July 1942, the second son and third child of Prince George, Duke of Kent (the fourth son of King George V) and his wife Princess Marina of Greece (through whom he is connected with the Russian royal family).  Prince George died in a plane crash a few weeks after Michael's birth.  At birth he was seventh in line to the British throne and, as the grandson in the male line of a monarch, was granted the style of Prince and Royal Highness.

At the age of 5, Prince Michael was a page boy at the wedding of his cousins, the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. He was educated at Sunningdale School and Eton.

Prince Michael entered the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in January 1961 and was commissioned into the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) in 1963.  He saw service in Germany, Hong Kong and in Cyprus as part of the UN peacekeeping force.  He retired as a Major in 1981.


On 30 June 1978 Prince Michael married Baroness Marie Christine Anna Agnes Hedwig Ida (née von Reibnitz), who thereby became HRH Princess Michael of Kent.  As the Baroness was a Roman Catholic, Prince Michael forfeited his right of succession the the throne under the terms of the Act of Settlement of 1701.

They have two children:

• Lord Frederick Michael George David Louis Windsor, born 6 April, 1979
• Lady Gabriella Marina Alexandra Ophelia Windsor, born 23 April 1981

Prince Michael has carried out minor official duties and in the past represented the Queen overseas.  He carries out private consolatory work.

Honorary Military Appointments

United Kingdom

Honorary Rear Admiral, Royal Naval Reserve 

Commodore-in-Chief, Maritime Reserves

Regimental Colonel, Honourable Artillery Company (2009–2012)

Royal Honorary Colonel, Honourable Artillery Company (2012–present)

Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Benson

Canada 

Colonel-in-Chief, The Essex and Kent Scottish (November 2001–present)

It is expected that Prince Michael will become eligible for the Canadian Forces Decoration during 2013 in respect of this service.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Orders


Royal Victorian Order
Knight Commander (KCVO) July 1992
Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) June 2003

Most Venerable Order of St John

Knight of Justice

Campaign Medals

  United Nations Medal (UNFICYP)


Commemorative Medals

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953
  Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977
  Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002
  Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012


Foreign Awards


Russian Federation: Order of Friendship (2009)

Prince Michael of Kent with the Duke of Atholl, May 2012