Westminster Cathedral in London became the setting for a deeply emotional farewell on Tuesday as the Duchess of Kent’s grandchildren gathered to honor her life.
Lady Amelia Windsor and her sister Lady Marina Windsor were among those who looked solemn as they paid their final respects to their grandmother, remembered not only as a beloved royal but also as a woman admired for her humility and compassion.
Katharine, who preferred to be known simply as “Mrs. Kent” in her down-to-earth Yorkshire style, passed away on September 4 at the age of 92, following a period of ill health.
Buckingham Palace confirmed she died peacefully at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
A Strong Family Legacy
Katharine and her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, raised three children—George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews; Lady Helen Taylor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
Through them, she became grandmother to ten grandchildren, who were all central to her life.
Lady Helen, 61, shares four children with her husband Timothy Taylor: Columbus, 31; Cassius, 28—often described as the “bad boy royal”; Eloise, 22; and Estella, 20.
Lord Nicholas, now 55, is father to Albert, 17, and Leopold, 15.
George, the eldest of Katharine’s children, has three children: Edward, 36; Lady Marina Charlotte, 32; and Lady Amelia, 30.
It was these grandchildren who stood together in mourning, united in both loss and love for their grandmother.
The Journey to Westminster Cathedral
The Duchess’s coffin had rested in the private chapel at Kensington Palace since her death, allowing her loved ones to say their personal goodbyes.
On Monday evening, her coffin was moved by a lone piper of the Royal Dragoon Guards—a regiment she had supported for decades as Deputy Colonel-in-Chief.
The royal hearse, designed by Queen Elizabeth, carried her coffin from Kensington to Westminster Cathedral for a private vigil.
Her coffin was draped in the royal standard, marked with a white border to distinguish it from those of other senior royals.
Members of her immediate family followed closely behind.
Grandchildren Share Loving Tributes
In the days after her passing, many of Katharine’s grandchildren turned to social media to share memories.
Lady Amelia posted a black-and-white photograph of her grandmother alongside a simple red heart, while Lady Marina shared a series of glamorous images from Katharine’s youth, including her radiant wedding day in 1961.
Marina also wrote a heartfelt tribute, calling her grandmother “Amama” and thanking her for “all the deep love, special friendship, giggles and hugs.”
She described her as irreplaceable and promised to carry her in her heart forever.
A Royal with a Humble Spirit
Though admired for her elegance and beauty, Katharine was equally known for her compassion.
In 1994, she made history by converting to Catholicism—the first senior royal to do so in more than three centuries.
This choice meant stepping away from many royal duties, but it allowed her to pursue her true passion: teaching.
She worked as a music teacher in a Hull primary school and co-founded the charity Future Talent, supporting gifted young musicians who lacked financial means.
To many, she was the picture of quiet dignity—balancing tradition with an independent spirit.
A Historic Funeral Service
Her funeral rites, which began Monday evening, included Catholic rituals such as the Rite of Reception and Vespers, led by Bishop James Curry.
On Tuesday, the requiem mass took place—marking the first Catholic funeral service for a royal family member in modern British history.
The King, along with other senior royals, attended the service, which was filled with hymns, prayers, and tributes.
Close friends and family gathered about twenty minutes before the coffin arrived, the Union flag at half-mast overhead as the September sun shone brightly.
Remembering the Duchess of Kent
Katharine became the oldest living royal after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022.
Known for her humility as much as her royal ties, she lived a life that blended tradition with a remarkable sense of independence.
She leaves behind her husband, the Duke of Kent, their three children, and ten grandchildren, each carrying forward her legacy of compassion, strength, and grace.
For those who knew her best, she was not just a duchess—but a deeply loved mother, grandmother, and friend.