The End of an Era: Buckingham Palace Announces Funeral Arrangements for the Duchess of Kent
LONDON — Buckingham Palace has officially released the details for the funeral of Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, following the announcement of her passing at the age of 92. The news has ushered in a period of national mourning for a royal figure who was widely beloved for her warmth, her deep love of music, and her unconventional path within the British Monarchy.
A Service of Remembrance at St. George’s Chapel
The funeral is set to take place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The ceremony will be a private royal funeral, attended by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and senior members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Following the service, the Duchess will be laid to rest in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, joining other members of the family in a serene setting she reportedly loved.
A Legacy of Grace and Humility
The Duchess of Kent, born Katharine Worsley, carved out a unique space for herself in the public eye. Though she stepped back from the front lines of royal duties in 2002, her impact remained profound:
- The “People’s Duchess”: She famously broke royal protocol in 1993 when she comforted a sobbing Jana Novotná after her defeat at the Wimbledon final.
- A Passion for Teaching: In a move that shocked the public at the time, she spent years teaching music at a primary school in Hull under the name “Mrs. Kent.”
- Spiritual Journey: Her conversion to Roman Catholicism in 1994 was a landmark moment, handled with such grace that it received the full blessing of Queen Elizabeth II.
National Tributes
In a statement from the Palace, the King expressed his “deepest sorrow,” describing his aunt as “a woman of extraordinary compassion and artistic soul.”
Flags across government buildings in the United Kingdom will fly at half-mast on the day of the funeral. While the service remains private, a Service of Thanksgiving is expected to be held in London later this year to allow representatives from her many charities and the world of music to pay their respects.