Duke of Kent helps King Charles strengthen UK-Germany ties

Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, stepped in for King Charles during the final day of the German President's State Visit to the UK, marking one of the most meaningful moments of the three-day tour.

The Royal Family shared the update on Instagram on Friday, December 5, posting photos of the the late Queen Elizabeth’s 90-year-old cousin joining Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ms. Elke Budenbender at the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral.

“On the final day of the State Visit, The Federal President and Ms. Budenbender, alongside The Duke of Kent, laid a wreath in the ruins of the old cathedral,” the caption read.

The post explained that “Coventry was twinned with Kiel and Dresden in Germany over their shared experience of bombardment during the Second World War.” It also highlighted the Duke’s decades-long commitment to reconciliation, noting he has served as Royal Patron of the Dresden Trust since 1993 and the British German Association since 1994.

The visit carried heavy historical weight. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, the devastating 1940 bombing that destroyed the original cathedral, killed more than 500 people, and flattened thousands of homes.

The moment also echoed a symbolic family connection; the Duke’s appearance mirrored the historic visit made by his uncle, King George VI, who travelled to the site just two days after the attack.

Despite grieving the loss of his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, earlier this year, the Duke continues to maintain a busy schedule.