The Duke of Kent

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1942, Page 2

The Duke of Kent

The tragic death of the Duke of Kent will evoke deep feelings throughout the British Commonwealth. In the earlier years of his public life the Duke was overshadowed by his elder brothers' but since his marriage, and particularly since the present King's accession to the Throne, the Duke of Kent had attained a stature of his own. The careful regime of training laid down for him by King George and Queen Mary was bearing fruit. To the people of blitzed Britain the Duke of Kent was at the one time a Prince of the Royal Household; a happy family man; one who shared their trials and tribulations. On this sound basis of popular respect and esteem a full and useful public life seemed to be ahead for the Duke of Kent. But Fate has willed otherwise. The Duke of Kent has met an untimely end. To his wife and young children the whole Empire will render deep and most profound sympathy, an,d this will extend to his mother in the loss of a beloved son. Condolences extended to the King will be intensified by appreciation that His Majesty has lost not only a brother, but also one who lifted from his shoulders many of the heavy burdens of his kingly office. If anything can diminish the regret the Empire feels at its loss it will be that the Duke of Kent died on active service. From this circumstance the Duke's death will be mourned as something more than that of a member of the Royal Household. And at the same time the tragic event will be seen as underlining the truth that the Royal Family symbolises all the families of the Empire to-day. In the call to duty all are equal, and all may be levelled by the call to sacrifice. By the manner of the death of a man who can ill be spared, the end of the Duke of Kent will call forth from the peoples of the Empire not only regret, but added respect and regard for the Royal Family.