Buckingham Palace has announced that a member of the Royal Family has died.
The Duchess of Kent, wife of the late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Kent,has died aged 92, Buckingham Palace has announced. The royal died peacefully on Thursday evening at her Kensington Palace home surrounded by her family.
Katharine was an extraordinary woman who famously converted to Catholicism in 1992 and 10 years later she gave up full-time royal duties and her HRH title to pursue a life away from the spotlight. She was also well known for being a regular fixture at Wimbledon, famously comforting a tearful Jana Novotna after she lost the Women’s singles trophy in 1993.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
“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.”
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Royal Family left heartbroken as Duchess of Kent dies aged 92
Buckingham Palace has announced that a member of the Royal Family has died.
Buckingham Palace announced the Duchess’s death at noon on Friday. She is survived by her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and their three children.
Read more: Duchess of Kent health timeline in full – from coeliac disease to depression
Read more: Inside Duchess of Kent’s double life after giving up HRH royal title
Duchess of Kent death
A notice is placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace announcing the death of the Duchess of Kent (Image: PA)
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
“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.”
The sad news was posted on the Royal Family’s official website and a formal framed announcement was placed on the railings of Buckingham Palace. The royal residence also lowered the union flag to half-mast as a mark of respect.
An online Book of Condolence will be available in the coming days.
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The King, at Balmoral, has been informed and has approved Royal Mourning until the day of the funeral. The cause of death has not been revealed.
As a mark of respect, members of the Royal Family and staff will wear clothing which pays appropriate tribute during this period. Those in Livery, the Royal Mews and Troops on Public Duties will wear black armbands.
Royal engagements are likely to continue, although households will consider the ‘format and tone’ of engagements during this period. There is unlikely to be a period of national mourning as the Duchess was no longer a working royal.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the royal by sharing a moving statement hailing her “compassion, dignity and human touch”.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “I wish to send my sincere condolences to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family on the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
“For many years, she was one of our hardest working royals – supporting our late Queen Elizabeth II in her official duties at home and abroad.
“She brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did. Many will remember that moment at the Wimbledon Ladies Final, when she touchingly comforted the runner-up, Jana Novotna.
“Later, when it was discovered she had been giving her time and working anonymously as a music teacher at a school in Hull, it seemed typical of her unassuming nature.
“In so many ways, the Duchess sought to help. My thoughts are with her husband, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, her family and all those whose lives she touched.”
