Принц Майкл Кент посетил выставку элитных автомобилей в Гэмптон-Корт

It's a problem facing families across the country – and driving the action in The Gentlemen, which returns today for season two – how does one keep an aristocratic estate afloat? The petrolhead Prince Michael of Kent was in the racing spirit this week as the 84-year-old royal was spotted at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. Joining his fellow motoring fans, the late Queen’s cousin donned a pale blue turtleneck, a navy vest, and teal trousers for the event, which saw 60 of the world’s rarest cars brought together in King Henry VIII’s old palace. ‘It was a real privilege to host His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent, this morning, along with many other car enthusiasts who are taking part in the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace this week,’ wrote Tom Harley Jnr on Instagram, sharing a number of photographs from the event. Prince Michael of Kent, the son of Prince George and Princess Marina, is known for his love of vintage cars. In 2002, he staged a sale of his 1981 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine with Christie's, painted with his ‘M’ emblem on the doors. While he has stepped back from royal duties of late, and often requires mobility aids during his engagements, his career saw him serve as President of the Veteran Car Club, the Royal Automobile Club, and The Brooklands Museum. In 1992, he joined a team to successfully break the 1,000-mile record for cars over 5,000cc, driving a 1926 W.O. Bentley Special. The Prince has also been a firm advocate for road safety. In 1987, he set up what is now known as The Prince Michael International Road Safety Award Scheme, recognising outstanding contributions from modern car manufacturers to protect drivers. Unlike his brother, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent is not considered a working royal, but nevertheless dedicates himself to serving charities and to his commitments with the Armed Forces. According to the royal family’s website, he was in 2017 ‘involved in around 100 charities and organisations’, and undertook an average of 200 public working engagements a year. Bond, Bellinis, and the Bezos Wedding: What happens in Venice, stays in Venice at Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel – as one Tatler writer discovered ahead of the Venice Film Festival Unlike his brother, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent is not considered a working royal, but nevertheless dedicates himself to serving charities and to his commitments with the Armed Forces. According to the royal family’s website, he was in 2017 ‘involved in around 100 charities and organisations’, and undertook an average of 200 public working engagements a year. It has been a difficult time for Prince Michael recently, as his wife, Princess Michael of Kent, is undergoing a difficult health battle. ‘Her Royal Highness suffered a stroke,' a source told Richard Eden at the Daily Mail in March: 'Sadly, she is now bed-ridden.’ It is not the first health issue she has faced: Princess Michael has previously undergone heart surgery and broke her arms in 2024 while falling down the stairs at her Kensington Palace home. Prince Michael has been keeping busy during what is no doubt a worrying period of time for the Kent family. This April, he stepped out into the sun for the opening day of the Salon Privé London Luxury Car Event at Royal Hospital Chelsea, another favourite event for the car-mad Prince. No doubt the best wishes of the entire royal family are with Prince Michael and his wife.