If we were going to play Who's Your Favourite Royal...

Is she still a member of the family? Aren't they divorced or at least seperated?

They have been estranged for years but ever since the Dukes stroke they have become close to each other again and are now once again living together. Very good outcome for both, and I wish them well.

She is so kind and caring, and regardless of her illnesses she cares fir others,

Sorry, Annie; I didn't spot it.

You didn't mean her when you listed Princess Michael of Kent did you? I'm sure you know they aren't the same person. Or did I miss a previous post?

Nope! I've found it .

Greyduster, I assure you when I said Princess Michael of Kent I was being bitchy about the woman not praising her

Gosh is Duchess of Kent still with us? She seemed so lovely. Classy and elegant, with a kind expression.

She did so much more than the rest of the family she married into but didn't ring the press to turn up to film her. She did soup runs, visited the elderly, worked in a children's hospice , not for a photo shoot, for long periods of time

So she was married to a cousin of Queenie's then? But not aristocratic herself?

Yes, she married a cousin of queenie

I remember her presenting the trophy at Wimbledon. Back in the day, of course!

She seems to have done loads of work, but not had much recognition for it.

She also worked for The Samaritans, she didn't want to go public , she wanted to help people not seek the front pages, she also suffered badly after a miscarriage , severe depression

Oh yes I remember the depression now too. Funnily enough, she was just on telly in a programme about Fergie, on the balcony with the rest of 'em.

She regularly presented the women's trophy at wimbledon until she fell out with the organisers because they wouldn't let stephen lawrence's mum sit in the royal box with her. In 2005 she took a job teaching music in a primary school in hull and apparently no-one knew who she was - just mrs kent!

I always thought she was lovely but had no idea of the good works she has done. And I had no idea why she'd stopped doing Wimbledon..I assumed it was due to ill health. What a lovely lady.

Wow. What a woman.

www.express.co.uk/news/royal/379327/Duchess-of-Kent-The-reluctant-royal-at-80

Actually that's not correct, Greyduster - Wrong Lawrence family.

Hard to believe she's in her eighties.

Still very commendable. Interesting article; thanks merlot [made me go a bit gooeyed actually].

You're absolutely right merlot - can't think how I got that one wrong! .