The coffin of the Duchess of Kent has been brought to Westminster Cathedral in preparation for her funeral tomorrow, where her husband, the Duke of Kent, honored her with a solemn bow. The Duchess passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on September 4, surrounded by her family.
The procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral was led by a military piper from the Royal Dragoon Guards, with the coffin draped in the Royal Standard. Upon arrival, the Duke of Kent, supported by their daughter Lady Helen Taylor, paid his respects by bowing his head. The couple also had two sons, George, Earl of St Andrews, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
Members of the Royal Family, including Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra, Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, and the Duchess’s grandchildren, were present to receive her coffin. A bearer party from the Royal Dragoon Guards, the regiment she supported, carried her coffin into the cathedral.
The private funeral rites included a Vigil for the Deceased, Rite of Reception, and evening prayers led by Bishop James Curry. The coffin will remain in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary overnight before the requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, to be attended by senior royals, marking the first Catholic funeral service for a royal family member in modern British history.
Known for her conversion to Catholicism in 1994, the Duchess was a devout follower of the faith, making her the first royal family member to do so in over 300 years. Despite the historical significance of her funeral, Queen Elizabeth II previously attended the Catholic state funeral of King Baudouin of the Belgians in 1993.
Born Katharine Worsley in 1933, the Duchess married the Duke of Kent in 1961 at York Minster, deviating from tradition in her Yorkshire roots. The couple had three children and actively engaged in public life, representing the late Queen domestically and internationally.
In her later years, the Duchess focused on charitable work, including volunteering for the Samaritans, serving as a UNICEF ambassador, and founding the charity Future Talent. She eventually took a low-key role as a music teacher, dedicating her time to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
While her public appearances dwindled over time, the Duchess continued her philanthropic endeavors until her passing. Her legacy as a compassionate royal figure and charitable advocate will be remembered by many.