Duke of Kent honoured with trophy at Wimbledon in July

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First cousin and close confidant of the Queen, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, is to publish a book celebrating the Royal Family next year, ahead of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The book will be released before Prince Harry’s highly-anticipated “accurate and wholly truthful” memoir documenting his struggles during his time as a royal. 

The close bond between the Queen and the Duke of Kent is clear, she was present at his christening at Buckingham Palace and, over eight decades on, he was by her side when she faced her first birthday parade alone after Prince Philip’s death.

Edward carries out engagements on behalf of the Queen and is involved with over 140 charities and organizations.

It is understood the Duke will focus on “the most important moments and themes of The Queen’s life and seventy-year reign,” in his book while featuring never-before-seen photos from his own collection.

The book, titled A Royal Life, will be based on his conversations held with royal historian and biographer Hugo Vickers.

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One figure close to the royal told the MailOnline it will “aim to show that the most successful members of the Royal Family are those who support the Queen and don’t compete with her.”

It is understood the Queen is aware of the project, which suggests the monarch has given her permission, unlike Prince Harry.

Harry was said to have “blindsided” the Royal Family when he announced the release of his memoir earlier this year, triggering what was labelled a “tsunami of fear” in Buckingham Palace.

A spokesman for Harry said at the time he had told his family, including the Queen, about the book “very recently.”

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Announcing the news for the book, Harry made a statement saying: “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become.

“I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story – the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.

Penguin Random House said at the time: “Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him.”

The Duke of Kent has been married to Katharine Worsley since 1961.

Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, and Edward share three children, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent live at Wren House, Kensington Palace.

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