After years away from the public eye, Prince Andrew quietly rejoined the royal fold to attend the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The Duke and Duchess of York were part of a private family memorial held at Westminster Cathedral in London, marking a rare public appearance for the once-active royal.
Remembering the Duchess of Kent
Katharine, the Duchess of Kent and wife of the late Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Kent, passed away peacefully at home on September 4 at the age of 92, surrounded by family.
A devout Roman Catholic, she had made history by becoming the first royal to convert to Catholicism in over 300 years, fulfilling a wish to have her funeral at Westminster Cathedral.
Royals Gather Despite Health Setbacks
Members of the Royal Family were present to pay their respects, including King Charles, Prince William, and the Princess of Wales.
Queen Camilla, however, had to withdraw at the last minute due to acute sinusitis, prompting questions about her ability to attend the upcoming state visit by US President Donald Trump in Windsor.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen’s absence and shared that her thoughts remained with the family of the duchess.
A Historic Catholic Funeral
The requiem mass was a historic occasion, marking the first Catholic funeral for a royal in modern British history.
The Order of Service revealed that Pope Leo XIV sent a special message to be read during the ceremony by Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain.
Personal touches included the participation of three of the duchess’s grandchildren — Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor, Eloise Taylor, and Albert Windsor — who read the Prayer of the Faithful.
Honoring the Duchess with Symbolism
Her coffin, crafted from English willow and draped with the royal standard featuring a white ermine border, was adorned with a large wreath of British garden flowers.
White roses, symbolizing Yorkshire where she was born, and sprigs of yew from her childhood home at Hovingham Hall represented eternal life.
The coffin had rested overnight in the Lady Chapel following a solemn reception ceremony.
Military Tributes and Procession
The Royal Dragoon Guards, a regiment she supported as deputy Colonel-in-Chief, played a prominent role in the funeral.
A piper led the procession, and soldiers carried her coffin into the cathedral, underscoring the duchess’s lifelong commitment to charitable and military causes.
A Ceremony Steeped in Tradition
This funeral was the first for a royal at Westminster Cathedral since its construction in 1903, and the first Roman Catholic royal funeral in England for nearly 500 years, following Queen Mary I in 1558.
The service also highlighted the long-standing connection between the monarchy and the Catholic Church, with past examples including Queen Elizabeth II attending King Baudouin of Belgium’s funeral in 1993 and members of the royal family attending papal funerals over the years.
Family Presence Amid Private Reflections
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were among the family members present, quietly participating in the service.
Their attendance marked a rare moment of public family unity for the Duke and Duchess of York amid years of private and public scrutiny.