Why Prince Michael Of Kent Never Undertakes Royal Duties As Queen’s Cousin

Prince Michael of Kent is the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, but he isn’t expected to undertake official duties on behalf of the monarch.

His brother, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, is a regular fixture at royal engagements, and there is a reason why this is the case. On the prince’s official website, the explanation as to why Prince Michael of Kent doesn’t have royal duties has been revealed.

“Engagements undertaken by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are not included in the Court Circular because they do not usually carry out official duties on behalf of the Queen. Under prima genitor rules, it is Prince Michael’s older brother, the Duke of Kent, who carries out official duties which are included in the Court Circular,” the information read (via Express).

Prince Michael of Kent also happens to be the second son and third child of King George V’s fourth son Prince Michael. As such, he was never really expected to have an official role as a member of the royal family. Official roles were given to his eldest sibling, the Duke of Kent.

Matthew Robinson, a journalist for Express, also said that Prince Michael of Kent has never received parliamentary annuities under the civil list before it was abolished several years ago. As such, he has also not been given an allowance from the Privy Purse. His siblings receive an allowance from Privy Purse because they undertake official duties on behalf of the monarch.

Princess Alexandra, the second child of Prince Michael was not supposed to undertake official duties, but the Queen made an exception for her in the 1960s. The reason being was that there was a lack of female members of the royal family that could do work on behalf of Her Majesty.

But even though Prince Michael of Kent doesn’t hold an official role for the royal family, he and his wife are actively involved in a slew of charity work.