Duchess of Kent dies aged 92

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has died at the age of 92, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. She passed away peacefully at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.

The Duchess, who joined the Royal Family in 1961 when she married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was the longest-serving member of the monarchy. She was also a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement, the Palace said:

“The King and Queen and all members of the Royal Family join the Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly the Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”

Flags at Buckingham Palace were lowered to half mast following the announcement.

Simply known as “Mrs Kent”

Away from the formality of royal life, Katharine was known for her love of music and her dedication to teaching. For several years, she worked at a primary school, where pupils knew her simply as “Mrs Kent,” unaware of her royal status.

She was also a familiar face at Wimbledon, often seen in the Royal Box and presenting trophies on Centre Court.

From Yorkshire upbringing to royal life

Born Katharine Worsley in Yorkshire, she grew up in an aristocratic family but did not begin formal education until the age of 10. Her wedding to Prince Edward at York Minster was attended by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne, who served as a bridesmaid.

In 1994, the Duchess became the first senior royal in more than 300 years to convert to Catholicism, calling it a deeply personal choice. She later volunteered with charities, particularly those supporting young people and the homeless.

The Duchess and the Duke of Kent had three children together. In 1977, their son Patrick was stillborn, a loss she later described as having a profound effect on her life. She openly discussed her battle with depression at a time when mental health was rarely addressed publicly, saying the experience gave her deep empathy for others facing similar grief.

Stepping back from royal duties

In 2002, the Duchess chose to retire from official royal engagements, no longer using the style “Her Royal Highness.” She continued to attend major family events, including the weddings of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.

She was absent, however, from Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in 2022 and King Charles III’s coronation in 2023, quietly maintaining her independence in later years.

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, is survived by her husband, the Duke of Kent, now 89, along with their two sons and daughter.

Her passing marks the end of a life that combined duty with personal conviction, public service with private compassion.