Princess Michael of Kent celebrates her 70th birthday on Thursday and in honour of the milestone occasion, a new photo of the royal has been released. In the image, the age-defying royal can be seen wearing a glittering pearl-and-diamond tiara and is cuddling one of her beloved pet cats. To honour her special day, HELLO! Online has gathered a list of ten facts you may not have known about the wife of Prince Michael.
Princess Michael of Kent was born in the Czech Republic but spent her younger years in Australia
1. The Princess was born as Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz on 15 January 1945 in Karlsbad, which is now known as Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, to parents Baron Gunther Hubertus von Reibnitz and Countess Maria Anna Szapary von Muraszombath. 2. During her early years, the future British royal spent time in Australia where her mother ran a beauty salon. 3. In June 1978, Marie Christine married Prince Michael of Kent – the son of Prince George, Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark – in a civil ceremony in Vienna, Austria. This was followed by a Roman Catholic ceremony in June 1983 at the Archbishop's House, London.
Prince Michael of Kent married his wife, Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz, when she was 33
4. Following her marriage, the wife of Prince Michael was styled as 'Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent'. 5. In 1979, the Princess became a mother for the first time when she and her husband welcomed Lord Frederick Windsor, who was followed by a sister, Lady Gabriella Windsor in 1981. 6. The Princess does not carry out royal duties however she and Prince Michael join the royal family at important events including the annual celebration of the Queen's birthday, Trooping the Colour. The royal couple also attended the wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco in 2011.
The royal couple joined their son Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife Sophie in introducing their granddaughter Maud in HELLO!
7. Alongside being a member of the British royal family, the Princess is also a best-selling author, releasing five books including the royal-inspired The Serpent and The Moon and The Queen of Four Kingdoms. 8. In August 2013, the Princess and her husband became grandparents for the first time when Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife Sophie Winkleman (known as Lady Frederick Windsor) welcomed a daughter Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina Windsor.
Author Princess Michael of Kent has released five books
9. One of the Princess' great loves is for animals and she currently owns several horses, dogs and her Siamese and Burmese cats, which she revealed she is particularly fond of. She also spends a lot of time championing animal conservation organisations in Africa that look after rhinos and elephants. 10. The Princess shares her birthday with Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman, who is the half-sister of Sophie Winkleman, wife of the royal's son Lord Frederick.