Prince Michael in Moscow, June 2001. Photograph Copyright David Chancellor

Although they are not categorised formally in the Court Circular, a recent survey showed that in the past 6 years from 1st September 1997 until the end of August 2003, Prince Michael carried out over 900 engagements.

The vast majority of these have been linked to the various associations, societies, military and charitable organisations to which he gives his support.

Prince Michael of Kent outside the Gur Emir Mausoleum in Samarkand

A further breakdown revealed that, in the same period, His Royal Highness made 319 appearances specifically for charities, attended a further 342 engagements for other non-profit organisations, and yet a further 230 for Royal Family, diplomatic, military or Masonic functions.

During this period he has made 59 trips to 28 different countries, of which 15 have been to Russia alone.

All this is in addition to the day-to-day business of running his own successful consultancy company, whose affairs are not included in the above statistics.