Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, shocked spectators today by pulling out his mobile phone on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour.
The 90-year-old, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, retrieved the device from his suit pocket while standing among senior members of the Royal Family on the iconic balcony.
After briefly examining the screen, he proceeded to record footage of both the RAF flypast and the thousands of spectators gathered below.
No member of the Royal Family has previously been seen using a phone during a public appearance on the famous balcony, making this moment entirely unprecedented in royal history.
The duke had positioned himself somewhat apart from the other royals, partially concealed behind a stone pillar.
He emerged through a separate door moments after King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, onto the terrace.
Earlier in the day, the duke was photographed holding up his phone while observing proceedings from a window at the Major General's Office overlooking Horse Guards Parade, with young Prince Louis peering out beside him.
The Duke of Kent could be seen retrieving his phone from his pocket, before briefly examining the screen and recording footage of both the RAF flypast and the thousands of spectators gathered below
|GB NEWS
This appearance marked one of the duke's first significant public engagements since becoming a widower last year.
Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, passed away in September 2025 at the age of 92, leaving her husband of many decades without his longtime companion.
Some observers have suggested the phone may have provided a form of emotional support during what must have been a poignant occasion.
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The Duke of Kent joined the Royal Family on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast
|PA
Though no formal prohibition exists preventing royals from using their phones publicly, working members of the family customarily refrain from using personal technology during official duties.
King Charles is understood to insist that staff in his household keep their mobiles switched off while working, unless their role specifically requires one.
Prince William has spoken of maintaining similar standards within his own family.
"We sit and chat, it's really important. None of our children have any phones, which we're very strict about," he told actor Eugene Levy in an interview last October.
The heir to the throne did, however, film Aston Villa's Europa League triumph in Istanbul last month, though he attended that match privately rather than in an official capacity.