Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick
Edward Edmund Maximilian George Windsor | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward Edmund Maximilian George Windsor December 2, 1988 St Mary's Hospital, London, England |
| Other names | Eddy Downpatrick |
| Occupation(s) | Travel consultant, fashion entrepreneur, former financial analyst |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Co-founder and creative director of FIDIR; founder of Aristeia Travel; member of British royal family (Lord Downpatrick) |
Edward Edmund Maximilian George Windsor, Lord Downpatrick (born 2 December 1988), professionally known as Eddy Downpatrick, is a British travel consultant, fashion entrepreneur, and former financial analyst. He belongs to the British royal family and holds the position of second heir to the Dukedom of Kent, adopting his grandfather’s subsidiary title, Baron Downpatrick, as a courtesy. Being a second cousin once removed of Charles III, he is the highest-ranking member of the House of Windsor excluded from the line of succession to the British throne because of his Roman Catholic religion.
Early life and family
Downpatrick was born at St Mary's Hospital, London and grew up in Cambridge. He is the eldest child of George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, who is the designated successor to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. His mother, Sylvana, Countess of St Andrews, is a historian with Canadian roots and Austro-Italian and French ancestry from the Tomaselli lineage. His godmother was Diana, Princess of Wales, though she passed away before they could develop a close relationship.
He attended Eton College before matriculating at Keble College, Oxford, where he pursued modern languages with an emphasis on French and German. Although he planned to enlist in the British Army after completing his studies, injuries sustained playing rugby prevented this path. Downpatrick maintains strong connections with his third cousin Princess Beatrice as well as his sisters, Lady Marina Windsor and fashion model Lady Amelia Windsor. His great-grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, was renowned as a post-war fashion icon.
Career
The concept for a fashion brand emerged for Downpatrick in 2009; however, he initially embarked on a career as a financial analyst at JP Morgan. He departed from JP Morgan in 2016 to dedicate himself fully to fashion design. In 2017, he co-established FIDIR alongside Justine Dalby, where he fulfills the role of creative director. FIDIR focuses on outdoor apparel and accessories such as handbags, wallets, sweatshirts, wash bags, and T-shirts, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
In 2021, Downpatrick launched Aristeia Travel, which arranges tours and expeditions spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The firm also provides adventure experiences including activities like heliskiing and whale watching. Additionally, he partners with Jack Wheeler at Wheeler-Windsor Expeditions to offer bespoke travel services to discerning clients.
Succession rights
At age 15 in 2003, Downpatrick chose to be confirmed into the Catholic Church, following in the footsteps of his grandmother, the Duchess of Kent, and his uncle Lord Nicholas Windsor. Due to this decision and under the Act of Settlement 1701, he became ineligible for succession to the British throne. As a second cousin once removed to King Charles III, he stands as the most senior royal excluded from succession owing to his Roman Catholic faith.
Had he remained eligible as of January 2025, he would have been placed 44th in line. He continues to be second heir to the Dukedom of Kent after his father.