The Duchess of Kent has died

 

The Duchess of Kent has died. She was 92 years old. The duchess passed away on September 4 2025 at her home at Kensington Palace with her family at her side.

Buckingham Palace announced her death on September 5 with the flag being moved to half mast immediately. In the statement, the Palace said ''It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.''

There were condolences from Charles III ''The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.''

Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley was born at Hovingham Hall on February 22 1933 and married into the Royal Family in 1961. Her marriage to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent took place at York Minister, the first royal wedding there in over six centuries. The couple had three children together - George, Helena and Nicholas. They lost a child to miscarriage in 1975. The Duke and Duchess of Kent had a third son, Patrick, who was stillborn in 1977.

The Duchess of Kent spoke openly of the deep depression she had after the loss of two babies and her empathy for those in similar situations further informed her royal duties. She took on a wide range of engagements on behalf of the Royal Family but was perhaps best known as the caring, smiling duchess who presented winners and losers with trophies at the Wimbledon finals. As runner up, Jana Novotna, wept on her shoulder, their images were indelibly linked together. The duchess was among the first to offer sympathy when Jana Novotna died of cancer.

In 1994, the Duchess of Kent became the first member of the Royal Family to convert to Catholicism in three centuries. Soon afterwards, she gave up royal duties and ended up as a music teacher where she was known as Mrs. Kent. She decided not to use her HRH but Buckingham Palace never changed its line. She remained a Highness to them throughout.

The Duchess of Kent was last seen in public in October 2024 when she joined her family to mark her husband's 89th birthday. She leaves her husband of 64 years as well as their children and grandchildren. And she leaves a memory of a warm, empathetic royal who was one of the most caring faces of the family for many years.