# Duke of Kent — Queen Victoria character guide

> Duke of Kent in Queen Victoria by Lytton Strachey.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Late Duke of Kent

**First appearance:** 0002-i-antecedents

## Who they are

Victoria's father, who died shortly after her birth.

## In the story

### [I: Antecedents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i-antecedents)

Fourth son of George III; after Princess Charlotte's death, he marries Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld to secure the succession, becoming father of the future queen.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i)

Uncle of Princess Charlotte; helps facilitate communication between Charlotte and Prince Leopold.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned separately among the brothers; his situation is noted as requiring separate description.

### [Chapter III: The Duke of Kent's Dilemma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii)

The central figure of the chapter; a meticulous, debt-ridden military man who faces the painful duty of marrying for the succession, ending his long relationship with Madame St. Laurent.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv)

Described as a meticulous, pious, and superstitious man, dubbed 'the Corporal' by the Duke of Wellington. He insisted his child be born in England and drove the carriage from Amorbach to London.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i)

Father of Victoria; dies of pneumonia after getting his feet wet; arranges guardianship for his daughter in his will.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as desiring the marriage of Albert and Victoria.

### [X: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/x-the-end)

Recalled through his great old repeater-watch in its tortoiseshell case.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/duke_of_kent
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters