Photograph showing head and shoulders portrait of Prince Edward facing front, curls on his forehead. Inscribed by his mother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent: 'Edward July 1937'. Prince Edward was born on 9 October 1935, the elder son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina. He succeeded to his father’s title in August 1942 at the age of six, when his father died in a plane crash while on active service.