British Royal Family Mourns Duchess of Kent at 92

The British Royal Family is in mourning. Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has passed away peacefully at 92, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday with “deep sorrow.” She was the longest-serving member of the royal family, married to Prince Edward, and a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Duchess of Kent passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family,” the Palace statement said.

The Union Jack has been lowered to half-mast at Buckingham Palace. “The King and Queen, along with all members of the Royal Family, join the Duke of Kent, his children, and grandchildren in mourning her loss. They remember fondly her lifelong devotion to charities, passion for music, and empathy for young people,” the statement added.

Devoted to Music and Charity

The Duchess had a lifelong love of music. According to the BBC, she supported numerous charities and even taught music at a primary school. Pupils there knew her simply as “Mrs. Kent,” unaware of her royal status.

She also appeared frequently at Wimbledon, presenting prizes and enjoying tennis matches in the stands.

Early Life and Marriage

Born Katharine Worsley in Yorkshire, she came from an aristocratic, land-owning family. She joined the Royal Family in 1961, marrying Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a grandson of King George V.

Despite starting formal education at age 10, Katharine quickly adapted to royal life. Princess Anne served as a bridesmaid at her wedding in York Minster, while Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles attended the ceremony.

Personal Faith and Royal Duties

Throughout her life, the Duchess balanced royal responsibilities with personal pursuits. In 1994, she became the first royal in over 300 years to convert to Catholicism. She described it as “a long-pondered personal decision” and was received into the Church by Cardinal Basil Hume. Later, she volunteered at the Passage charity, helping the homeless.

Tragedy and Resilience

Katharine and Prince Edward had three children, though tragedy struck in 1977 when their son Patrick was stillborn. The loss left her hospitalized for seven weeks due to “nervous exhaustion.” Reflecting years later, she told The Daily Telegraph:

“It had the most devastating effect on me. I had no idea how devastating such a thing could be to any woman. It has made me extremely understanding of others who suffer a stillbirth.”

At a time when mental health struggles were rarely discussed, she also revealed her battle with “acute depression.”

Later Years and Public Appearances

In 2002, the Duchess stepped back from royal duties and stopped using the title “Her Royal Highness,” choosing instead to be known informally as Katharine Kent or Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Yet she continued attending major events, including:

Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding (2011)
Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee concerts (2012)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding (2018)

She notably skipped Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (2022) and King Charles III’s coronation (2023), quietly following her own path through royal life.

Legacy

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, leaves behind her husband, the 89-year-old Duke of Kent, and their three children. She will be remembered for her devotion, resilience, and contributions to music, charity, and the community.