Prince William and Princess Catherine Pay Tribute to the Duchess of Kent

The British Royal Family entered a period of mourning following the peaceful passing of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at her home in Kensington Palace. The Duchess, who was the wife of the Duke of Kent (the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin), was 92 years old.

The Official Announcement

Following the formal statement from Buckingham Palace on behalf of King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Catherine released a deeply personal tribute on their social media channels. Signed “W & C,” the message highlighted the Duchess’s warmth and her long-standing commitment to charity:

“The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family.”

A Life of Quiet Devotion

The Duchess of Kent was widely beloved for her “human touch.” She famously stepped back from using her “Her Royal Highness” (HRH) title in 2002 to live a quieter life, famously teaching music at a primary school in Hull for thirteen years under the name Mrs. Kent.

She is perhaps best remembered globally for her emotional support of athletes at Wimbledon, most notably in 1993 when she famously comforted a sobbing Jana Novotna after her defeat in the final.

The “Shock” of Her Passing

While the Duchess had been out of the public eye for many years, her death marked the end of an era. At the time of her passing in late 2025, she was the oldest living member of the British Royal Family.

Historical Significance

Her funeral, held on September 16, 2025, at Westminster Cathedral, was a historic event. Having converted to Catholicism in 1994, she was the first member of the Royal Family to have a public Catholic funeral service in the United Kingdom in modern history.