What an undignified way to announce an engagement

Lord Frederick Windsor may not have been a royal, and he will never carry out official engagements. He's always going to be at the end of the official photos. But he is the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. His parents are members of the Royal Family because Prince Michael is the grandson of George V. He is the younger son of the late Duke of Kent (Prince George) and his wife, the former Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark.

The Duke of Kent was killed in an airplane accident on active duty several months after Prince Michael's birth in 1942.

 
The ducal title went to Michael's older brother, Prince Edward. The present Duke of Kent, who is 72 years old, continues to carry out engagements. The duke served in the British military, but eventually moved into the position as a full-time royal with his wife, the Duchess of Kent. The Duke and Duchess of Kent received a Civil List allocation to cover the expenses of their official duties. (The Queen now covers this expense.)

Prince Michael, as the younger son, was never expected to take on the mantle of royal duties. He was expected to find a caree, and make his own way in the way, although, of course, opportunities were limited. British princes have to be very careful about job opportunities, as Prince Michael has found to his cost.

In 1978, Prince Michael, who was largely unknown to the general public, became front page news when his engagement to a divorced Roman Catholic was announced. The Queen gave her consent, as required. Prince Michael ceased to be a dynast because of the Act of Settlement (1701), which excludes from the succession, Roman Catholics, and those who marry Roman Catholics.

The Czech-born Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz added a bit of glamour and controversy to the Royal family.

The couple had two children, Lord Frederick and Lady Gabriella. (The children have the style of younger sons and daughters of a non-royal duke.)

It is safe to say that the Michaels have lived on the fringe of royal life. The Prince and Princess are royal highnesses and attend many state functions. They have never received a civil list allocation although the Queen does take care of their expenses on the rare occasion that the Michaels are asked to represent her. The Prince and Princess have taken on charitable duties and patronages, but their engagements are not listed in the Court Circular or on the British Royal Family's official website. (They have their own website.)

Lord Frederick and his younger sister, Lady Ella, grew up living in Kensington Palace, and attending the best schools in the country. Lord Frederick received his degree from Oxford, while Lady Ella attended Brown University in Rhode Island. She now writes for several publications, including Hola.
Despite being on the fringe of royal life, Lord Frederick has seen his share of front-page stories, largely centered around drugs and alcohol. This is not what Princess Michael expected, perhaps, but Lord Frederick has been rather oafish at times.

Frederick and actress Sophie Winkleman have been dating for two years. Her father, Barry Winkleman, is a millionaire publisher who came up with the idea of the Times Atlas. Barry is of Jewish heritage but admits he is a non-practicing Jew. His second wife, Cynthia Black, is a children's writer. She was born Cynthia MacDonald, and it is unlikely that she is Jewish.

 
The future Lady Frederick was probably brought up in a non-religious home.

 
Frederick popped the question on Valentine's Day. In less than24 hourss, a press release announcing the engagement was sent out to the media. This was a surprise, and certainly not the most dignified way to announce the engagement.

 
Why so fast? Princess Michael is currently in South Africa. Why not wait until she returns home so an official announcement can be placed in The Times. The two sets of parents have yet to meet each other. One would have assumed that a meeting would have taken place before the engagement was announced.

 
Did Lord Frederick place a courtesy call to Cousin Lililbet? After all, he needs her permission to marry. Her approval is a mere formality, but just the same, it would have been nice to be a bit more formal.
An official announcement combined with the release of a formal engagement photograph of a beaming couple and the bride discreetly showing the ring along with a few photos of the two sets of parents and their two children. You know what I mean?

 
And the ring? Was there a ring? Prince Michael inherited a nice selection of his mother's jewels? Some of these jewels will be inherited by Lord Frederick and his family.

 
Will they marry at St. George's Chapel at Windsor? After all, Lord Frederick proposed at Frogmore. No doubt, Princess Michael will want a grand event for her son. I do find the timing of the announcement -- and how it was handled -- rather perplexing. Perhaps the answers will come. Lady Ella could interview her brother and future sister-in-law for Hello and Hola. Now that's a thought.