A Royal Life
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A Royal Life
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About this listen
The insights and memories of a member of the British Royal Family—HRH The Duke of Kent—in conversation with Hugo Vickers about some of the key events of his life and The Queen's reign.
HRH The Duke of Kent has been at the heart of the British Royal Family throughout his life. As a working member of the Royal Family, he has supported his cousin, The Queen, representing her at home and abroad. His royal duties began when, in 1952, at the age of 16, he walked in the procession behind King George VI's coffin, later paying homage to The Queen at her coronation in 1953. Since then, he has witnessed and participated in key royal occasions. He represented The Queen at independence ceremonies from the age of 25, he was riding with her when blanks were fired at Trooping the Colour in 1981, he was the oldest soldier on parade at Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in November 2020 and he was alongside The Queen at her official birthday celebrations in June 2021 as colonel of the Scots Guards.
No member of the Royal Family has spoken extensively of the modern reign and their part in it before. A Royal Life is a unique account based on a series of conversations between the duke and acclaimed royal historian Hugo Vickers. It covers some of the most important moments and experiences of the duke's life, from his upbringing at his family home Coppins in Buckinghamshire, his 21 years of army life, his royal tours and events, through to his work for over 140 different organisations, including presenting the trophies at Wimbledon for more than 50 years. Here, too, are recollections of family members including his mother, Princess Marina; his grandmother, Queen Mary; his cousin, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and his uncle, King George VI.
Other members of the Royal Family contribute their memories, including his wife, the Duchess of Kent, the duke's siblings, Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent, his son, the Earl of St Andrews, his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor as well as his cousins, Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, Archduchess Helen of Austria and her brother, Hans Veit Toerring.
A Royal Life is an unprecedented, insightful and remarkable slice of royal history.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 HRH The Duke of Kent and Hugo Vickers (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about A Royal Life
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ken P
- 11-07-22
A very excellent book of Duty
Very well narrated by quite a few contributors and a close insight into the Duke of Kent and his family and forebears.
Excellent piece of work
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs Pat McKnight
- 24-11-22
Interesting but tedious
I love Royal books and admire the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Yet I found this book heavy going. The different voices were for me annoying especially the females. While I enjoyed the book I was glad when it ended.
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- helenhetherington
- 16-06-23
Fascinating and surprising x
So interesting and beautifully read .Something of an unsung hero, a life of great duty .
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- Malcolm Mills
- 21-05-22
Fascinating.
A lovely book about a very charming and dutiful prince. He has earned great respect for his loyal service to The Queen. I loved the different voices reading the various people in his life. I so much enjoyed it.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Dr. N. WOODRUFF
- 15-08-23
A trully amazing book revealing a friend
He is more than we knew and greater than we had seen, a privilege that She spoke to him, and that we were in his presence
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- flowertoes
- 29-06-24
Getting annoyed with being cut off...
I really enjoyed this Auto biography..I never finished the end bit of wha t I was going to say.. so now I have managed to say it...Really well worth reading..and HRH The Duke of Kent seems a very nice modest nice man....
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- Kevin Leigh
- 22-05-22
Fascinating insight into Royal life.
The narration is well done and gives colour to a lot of facts and names. The book describes a way of life that is both fascinating and nowadays anachronistic. It provides an absorbing account of someone who has dedicated his life to public (or “Royal” as he describes it) service to the Queen and the nation. I had no idea of how close the cousins were growing up and how many things they all did as part of their duties. The different names and titles can make it difficult to place everyone unless you have a mind for family relationships (which I don’t) or you listen with a family tree beside you. The Audible book helpfully includes several such trees and some nice photographs. Overall it was very enjoyable, informative and entertaining.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- clare
- 19-10-22
Lovely book, so interesting
Such an interesting account of a member of the royal family who is always there taking his place when needed, understanding his role perfectly and embracing it with enthusiasm.
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1 person found this helpful
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- dominique
- 11-10-22
A must read!
Such an interesting look into the lifelong service of the duke. Fascinating to read about his younger years also and such a beautiful homage to Princess Marina as-well. Highly Recommend!
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