by Susan Flantzer © Unofficial Royalty 2013
At Prince Michael of Kent’s christening: Princess Alexandra of Kent, The Duke of Kent, The Duchess of Kent holding Prince Michael, Prince Edward of Kent (the current Duke of Kent), Photo Credit – regalmajesty.tumblr.com
Prince Michael of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was born on July 4, 1942. Prince Michael is the youngest child of Prince George, Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece. Because Prince Michael was born on American Independence Day, the Duke of Kent asked President Franklin Roosevelt to be one of his son’s godparents. President Roosevelt accepted and the baby prince was named Michael George Charles Franklin.
Telegram regarding Prince Michael’s christening:
Prince Michael was christened on August 4, 1942 at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle. His godparents were:
- King George VI (his paternal uncle)
- Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (for whom her son-in-law Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands stood proxy)
- King Haakon VII of Norway (his granduncle)
- President Franklin Roosevelt of the United States of America (for whom the Duke of Kent stood proxy)
- Crown Princess of Greece (born Princess Frederica of Hanover, who was not present)
- Duke of Gloucester (his paternal uncle, who was not present)
- Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven (born Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, his grandfather King George V’s cousin)
- Lady Patricia Ramsay (born Princess Patricia of Connaught, his grandfather King George V’s cousin)
Sadly, six weeks after his son’s birth, on August 25, 1942, the Duke of Kent died in a Royal Air Force plane crash in the service of his country. See Unofficial Royalty: Tragedy in the British Royal Family at the End of August (scroll down).
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