The coffin of the Duchess of Kent has been brought to Westminster Cathedral in preparation for her funeral tomorrow, with her husband, the Duke of Kent, showing a poignant gesture by bowing his head.
The Duchess, who was married to the late Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Kent, passed away peacefully at her residence on September 4 at the age of 92.
Earlier today, the Royal Standard-draped coffin departed from Kensington Palace, accompanied by a military piper from the Royal Dragoon Guards, on its way to Westminster Cathedral for a series of private funeral ceremonies. Upon its arrival, the Duke of Kent, supported by their daughter Lady Helen Taylor, respectfully bowed his head. The couple also had two sons, George, Earl of St Andrews, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
Various members of the Royal Family were present to receive the Duchess’s coffin, including her brother-in-law Prince Michael of Kent, sister-in-law Princess Alexandra, who was in a wheelchair, as well as Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor. Among others in attendance were the Duchess’s grandchildren, including Lady Amelia and Lady Marina Windsor.
A group of bearers from the Royal Dragoon Guards, the regiment the duchess served as deputy Colonel-in-Chief since its establishment in 1992, solemnly carried her coffin into the cathedral.
Inside, a private vigil was held, including funeral rites such as a Vigil for the Deceased, Rite of Reception with the sprinkling of holy water on the coffin, and evening prayers led by Bishop James Curry. The Duchess’s coffin will remain in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary overnight before the requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, scheduled for tomorrow, which will be attended by senior royals, including the King and Queen. This will mark the first Catholic funeral service for a member of the royal family in modern British history.
Known for her devotion to the Roman Catholic faith, the Duchess was the first royal family member in over 300 years to convert to Catholicism in 1994. It was her expressed desire to have her funeral service at Westminster Cathedral.
While the King will not be the first monarch to attend a Catholic funeral, as Queen Elizabeth II attended the Catholic state funeral of King Baudouin of the Belgians in 1993, various royal family members have participated in significant Catholic events in the past.
Born Katharine Worsley, she gained recognition for presenting trophies at Wimbledon and consoling Jana Novotna after her emotional loss in the 1993 ladies’ singles final.
In 2002, she withdrew from royal duties, relinquishing her HRH title to become a music teacher at a state school in Hull, where she was known simply as Mrs. Kent.
Hailing from Yorkshire, she grew up near York and crossed paths with the Duke of Kent in 1956, leading to their marriage in a celebrated ceremony at York Minster in June 1961.
The couple had three children and actively engaged in public duties on behalf of the late Queen.
Despite facing personal tragedies, including a terminated pregnancy due to rubella and the loss of a stillborn son, the Duchess remained committed to her charitable endeavors, including teaching music to underprivileged children and founding the charity Future Talent.
While her public appearances waned over the years, she made a notable appearance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018 and was last seen publicly at an event celebrating her husband’s birthday in October.
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