Westminster Cathedral opened its doors to a solemn yet historic moment as the royal family gathered to bid farewell to Katharine, Duchess of Kent.
The funeral not only celebrated her remarkable life but also stood out as the first Catholic royal funeral in modern times.
King Charles in Attendance, Queen Camilla Absent
King Charles was among the mourners paying tribute to the Duchess, but Queen Camilla could not be there.
At 78, she is recovering from a bout of acute sinusitis and sent her “deep regrets” for missing the service.
Despite her illness, Buckingham Palace confirmed that she will be well enough to accompany the King for President Trump’s state visit in Windsor later this week.
The Duchess’s Family and Royal Guests
The Duke of Kent, her husband and a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, attended the service with their three children.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also joined the gathering, honoring a woman who was known for her deep love of music, her warmth, and her dedication to charitable work.
A Message from the Pope
During the ceremony, a message from Pope Leo was read aloud.
In it, he praised the Duchess’s unwavering commitment to official duties, her patronage of charities, and her compassionate care for vulnerable communities.
The Pope also extended his condolences to the King, the Duke of Kent, and their family.
Remembered for Her Kindness and Service
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who led the service, described Katharine as “a very down-to-earth person.”
He recalled her time volunteering with the Passage charity, which supports the homeless, saying, “She entered very wholeheartedly into serving people.”
For him, the funeral felt like “a family gathering to honour a woman who deeply loved.”
A Life Filled with Music
Katharine, who passed away at the age of 92, never lost her passion for music.
She even spent time working as a primary school music teacher, where her pupils knew her simply as “Mrs Kent,” unaware of her royal background.
Fittingly, her funeral was filled with the music she loved most—Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus, works by JS Bach, and a piper’s rendition of Sleep, Dearie, Sleep, a moving lament also played at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Her Sporting Spirit and Final Resting Place
Beyond music, the Duchess was a regular presence at Wimbledon, remembered for moments of empathy—such as comforting Czech player Jana Novotna after a heartbreaking loss.
After the service, her coffin was taken to Frogmore in Windsor, where she will be laid to rest at the royal burial ground, joining generations of royals before her.