The Identified Earl of St Andrews, a rarely visible aristocrat who made appearances at the Garter Day and Trooping the Colour events, is soon set to host England's most anticipated high-class wedding.
Renegade Royalty: The Low-Key Life of George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews
By Jack Daniels
It's no secret that being a royal family member often comes with its fair share of limelight and high-profile lives. But George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, is an exception in the ruthless game of the Royals. Despite being the son of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, this philanthropist and former diplomat prefers to labor beneath the veil of public visibility.
In contrast to the flamboyant showcases put up by their fellow royals, George and his wife, Sylvana, Countess of St Andrews, were recently spotted attending the Trooping the Colour, but far from the glare of media attention. Instead, they watched the grand event from the Major General's Office, away from the family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. And only a few days later, they were seen again in Windsor, joining the likes of Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess of Wales at the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel.
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Born in Buckinghamshire[3], George's lineage traces back to being the eldest child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Katharine, Duchess of Kent, making him the 10th in line to the throne at the time of his birth[3]. His divine baptism took place at Buckingham Palace, where the late Prince Philip, his aunt Princess Alexandra of Kent, and Lady Lily Serena Lumley, daughter of the 11th Earl of Scarborough, served as his godparents[3]. He explored a more conventional path in terms of education, advancing from Eton to Cambridge before joining the Diplomatic Service to pursue his professional career beyond the family garden.
As the Earl of St Andrews, which is a courtesy title bestowed upon him by his father[3], George has had distinguished stints in New York and Budapest before working with Christie's in the antiquarian books business[3]. Being a dedicated philanthropist, he served as a trustee of the SOS Children's Villages UK charity[3], and as patron of the Association for International Cancer Research[3]. Apart from Trinity College, Cambridge, he has also been associated with the Clifton Scientific Trust, an educational foundation that provides young people with practical experience in science and engineering[3]. In 2012, he joined the Next Century Foundation, a charity that supports initiatives throughout the Middle East[3].
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George tied the knot with Sylvana Tomaselli, a Canadian-born academic from the aristocratic Austrian branch of the Tomaselli family, in 1988[3] at Leith Registration Office near Edinburgh. Unfortunately, due to the Act of Settlement of 1701, his union with Sylvana, who is a Roman Catholic, kept him barred from the line of succession[3]. However, this barring was eventually reversed when the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 came into effect.
Together, George and Sylvana have three children: Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick; Lady Marina Windsor; and Lady Amelia Windsor[3]. Edward, affectionately known as "Eddie" by friends, is ineligible for the line of succession due to his faith, which means he would inherit his father's estate and become the first Roman Catholic Earl since the Reformation[3]. After working with JP Morgan, he co-founded the fashion label FIDIR, famous for its Scottish Highland-inspired designs[3]. Additionally, he established Aristeia Travel, an agency that organizes tours and expeditions to various continents[3].
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In a joyful turn of events, Lady Marina Windsor recently announced her engagement to her boyfriend of two years, Nico Macauley[3]. A solitary post on Instagram conveyed her happiness with a gallery of images of her celebrating the upcoming nuptials with her fiancé.[3] Amelia Windsor, the youngest member of the Windsor family, was among the first to congratulate her elder sister.[3] Considered one of the most admired young British royals[3], Amelia has interned at prestigious fashion brands such as Chanel, Azzedine Alaia, Dolce & Gabbana, and Bulgari[3]. Her attendance in designer collaborations with Salome and Pretty Ballerina[3] highlights her passion for the environment and sustainability in fashion.
After years of living in obscurity, the Windsor family is poised to make a grand appearance in the public eye as their children take center stage, making their mark and capturing the public's imagination. It won't be long before we see a lot more of this enigmatic generation of royals – and the Earl of St Andrews, whose life, although low-key, is an intriguing prospect.
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- In contrast to the flashy appearances of other royals, George Windsor and his wife, Sylvana, typically avoid the media spotlight, choosing to watch events like the Trooping the Colour from more secluded locations.
- As a dedicated philanthropist, George Windsor has served as a trustee for SOS Children's Villages UK and as patron for the Association for International Cancer Research, among other charitable organizations.
- The Earl of St Andrews has had a varied career, working in New York, Budapest, and with Christie's in the antiquarian books business before co-founding the fashion label FIDIR and establishing Aristeia Travel.
- In the realm of fashion and beauty, Amelia Windsor, the youngest member of the Windsor family, has gained recognition for her passion for sustainability in fashion, having interned at prestigious brands and attending designer collaborations.
- As the children of George and Sylvana Windsor gain more visibility, it is anticipated that this 'renegade royalty' will continue to captivate public interest, with the Earl of St Andrews leading the way.
