Death and Funeral of The Duchess of Kent: 4 and 16 September 2025

[Hans-Rickard]

There are Catholic Churches in Kensington and the duchess may have attended Mass there
In was also thinking of York too.

I guess the burial will take place at the Royal Burial Grounds at Frogmore close to where the late Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Sir Angus Ogilvy is..

Unless she has wished to return to Hovingham..

 

[Saz83]

Was sad to see this news. Thoughts are with The Duke of Kent, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen, Lord Nicholas and the grandchildren.

 

[PrincessofEurope]

Message from the Prince and Princess of Wales on the death of the Duchess of Kent.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963954773339607313

This is a sweet statement and I wasn’t expecting them to release an individual one aside from the official communication

 

[duke of poliganc]

My condolences to the family. She was an amazing lady and I did appreciate her work with teaching music to young children!

 

[TLLK]

Remembering the late Duchess of Kent as a very compassionate and caring member of the BRF. I have great respect for the work that she did with the children in Hull.

 

[the_qvds]

First family tribute is from India Hicks, Lady Pamela Hicks’s daughter and the Duchess of Kent’s own goddaughter:

“My grandfather's funeral was held on my 11th Birthday. It took place on 5th September 1979, following his assassination by the IRA. Before the service, on the steps of Westminster Abbey, Princess Grace approached my mother. Seeing me, she caught sight of a gold cross I was wearing and, bending down commented on how lovely it was. "Thank you. It is brand-new today, from my godmother." I replied childishly.


My Godmother, the Duchess of Kent, had remembered that it would be my birthday. She had organized in a short amount of time to have this small cross engraved with the date.


She was an involved Godmum. She attended my christening (seen here standing next to another exceptional godparent) she attended my confirmation, she even attended my daughter's christening. She never forget a birthday or Christmas. She would send me letters to boarding school written in her beautiful spidery hand writing. A thoughtful and graceful godmother whose deeply personal faith journey left a lasting impression on me as a teenager.


I woke to the news that my godmother had slipped away last night. There is a kind of blessing in departing peacefully after a long life threaded with such compassion, and devotion.”

She posted this beautiful tribute on Her Instagram along with charming photos. Her instagram is: @indiahicksstyle

 

[Clematis]

I'm really sorry to hear of her passing. She was such an elegant and classy lady

 

[Somebody]

It sounds like she made a lasting impact on many people she met (and probably some she never even met). I especially loved the archbishop of York's statement on her passing. Hope the family will feel uplifted by all these outpourings of support in these difficult times.

 

[taogg]

First family tribute is from India Hicks, Lady Pamela Hicks’s daughter and the Duchess of Kent’s own goddaughter:

“My grandfather's funeral was held on my 11th Birthday. It took place on 5th September 1979, following his assassination by the IRA. Before the service, on the steps of Westminster Abbey, Princess Grace approached my mother. Seeing me, she caught sight of a gold cross I was wearing and, bending down commented on how lovely it was. "Thank you. It is brand-new today, from my godmother." I replied childishly.


My Godmother, the Duchess of Kent, had remembered that it would be my birthday. She had organized in a short amount of time to have this small cross engraved with the date.


She was an involved Godmum. She attended my christening (seen here standing next to another exceptional godparent) she attended my confirmation, she even attended my daughter's christening. She never forget a birthday or Christmas. She would send me letters to boarding school written in her beautiful spidery hand writing. A thoughtful and graceful godmother whose deeply personal faith journey left a lasting impression on me as a teenager.


I woke to the news that my godmother had slipped away last night. There is a kind of blessing in departing peacefully after a long life threaded with such compassion, and devotion.”

She posted this beautiful tribute on Her Instagram along with charming photos. Her instagram is: @indiahicksstyle

What an emotional tribute!

 

[Sancia]

She was a remarkable woman who did so much for people less fortunate than her. May she rest in peace.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I read a biography of HRH some years ago. Despite her fairy tale wedding at York Minster, her life was anything but a fairy tale. A difficult marriage and complete emotional breakdown following the stillbirth of a son in the early 70's was particularly shocking to read about.

And yet there was never anything but stoic dignity from the Duchess in her rare public appearances.

I am happy to hear that the end was peaceful and private.

It's what she deserved.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I would appreciate links to detailed obituaries, if anyone should know of any.

Does anybody know why the palace has continued to refer to her as Her Royal Highness, including in the official announcement of her death, but the Sky obituary and other articles say that she dropped her Royal Highness?

Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Edinburgh (1884-1966), Duchess of Galliera and Infanta of Spain as the wife of Alfonso de Orléans, a male-line granddaughter of Queen Victoria and thus a British princess by birth,

A detail, but just to correct a common misconception : As a Spanish royal, Infanta Beatriz de Sajonia-Coburgo-Gotha was never referred to in Spain as Duchess of Galliera (an Italian non-royal title which in no way took precedence over her royal title of HRH the Most Serene Lady Infanta of Spain; the British protocol of preferring ducal over royal titles never pertained to Spain).

was the last Catholic member of the royal family to die until yesterday. She was also, I believe, the only British dynast* by birth to convert to Catholicism since the Stuarts. She died and was buried in Spain.

*She and her first cousin, Ena of Battenberg, who converted and married Alfonso XIII of Spain, were the only grandchildren of British monarchs to do this.

Princess Victoria Eugenie "Ena" of Battenberg was a British dynast, a British Highness, and a full member of the British royal family from birth, born and raised in the United Kingdom as a close granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She converted to Catholicism in preparation for her marriage to King Alfonso XIII in 1906, before her cousin Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married into the same family a few years later.

 

[EssexRoyal]

The Duchess did not renounce her royal title or style, just ceased to use it - so she remained a Royal Highness

 

[Heavs]

Wonderful lady, I know people that met her in work capacity and they have only great things to say and have no need to lie.

I assume because she did not officially renounce HRH but retired from public life and stopped using it personally that that is why BP are using it, presumably with her own wishes and her family's.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Here is the much more detailed Telegraph obituary; as with most Telegraph royal obituaries, it is a fascinating read.

The Duchess of Kent, popular member of the Royal family who found her calling quietly helping the vulnerable – obituary

With the Queen’s permission, she stepped back from royal duties and taught in a primary school in Hull under the name of ‘Miss Katharine’

www.telegraph.co.uk

The Duchess did not renounce her royal title or style, just ceased to use it - so she remained a Royal Highness

I assume because she did not officially renounce HRH but retired from public life and stopped using it personally that that is why BP are using it, presumably with her own wishes and her family's.

The Telegraph obituary conveys the same: "Although it was never confirmed by any official announcement in the Court Circular, the Duchess stepped down from her royal engagements, and rarely used her title of Royal Highness."

Assuming that is accurate, where did the oft-repeated idea that she dropped her Royal Highness come from?

 

[Diarist]

Very sad.

Before they redeveloped Ascot, to get to the Royal Enclosure during Royal Ascot, the royal family had to pass through from the paddock. As she walked along, the Duchess of Kent used to say to racegoers 'How good to see you, how good to see you'. [By way of contrast, Princess Margaret just looked very sourly at racegoers and scuttled along as quickly as she could!]

I remember coming across the Duchess of Kent in Armani in Bond Street, shopping by herself, with no obvious security present. [I was window-shopping as the prices even in those days were eye watering!] The 'correct form' in those days was to drop a quick and discreet curtsey. I then looked away quickly, but not before the DoK acknowledged me with a charming smile and a few words. A totally lovely lady and certain members of today's royal family could learn a lot from her.

 

[Marengo]

This thread is about the death of the Duchess of Kent. Those interested in discussing Spanish titles can do so in the Spanish forum, in this thread:

Titles of the Royal Family

All's quiet on the Felipe front. Is he on vacation or something? By the way, I read somewhere that he was an Infante(?) before he was made Crown Prince. I also noticed that his sisters are referred to as Infantas. What exactly is the difference between a prince/princess and and infante/infanta...

www.theroyalforums.com

Further remarks on titles in Spain and Italy will be removed from this thread.

 

[Alison H]

Here is the much more detailed Telegraph obituary; as with most Telegraph royal obituaries, it is a fascinating read.

The Duchess of Kent, popular member of the Royal family who found her calling quietly helping the vulnerable – obituary

With the Queen’s permission, she stepped back from royal duties and taught in a primary school in Hull under the name of ‘Miss Katharine’

www.telegraph.co.uk

The Telegraph obituary conveys the same: "Although it was never confirmed by any official announcement in the Court Circular, the Duchess stepped down from her royal engagements, and rarely used her title of Royal Highness."

Assuming that is accurate, where did the oft-repeated idea that she dropped her Royal Highness come from?

She taught music at a school in Yorkshire, calling herself "Mrs Kent". This was to fairly young children who wouldn't have known who she was. I suppose she just wanted to be anonymous. Other than that, I don't think she dropped the style of HRH as such, but she didn't attend public events, and friends and family presumably wouldn't have addressed her as HRH anyway. The only place she'd have had occasion to use it was on headed notepaper, and most people don't write many letters these days.

It sounds like something out of a book - the sweet old lady who taught the kids and was secretly a member of the Royal Family.

 

[Kristen]

Very sad news, but it seems she had a long and lovely life. May she rest in peace. My sympathies to her family and loved ones.

 

[Alisa]

She listed this song among her favourites in a 2005 interview on BBC Radio 3.

She also reportedly also loved rap music. Naming Eminem and Ice Cube to be among her favorite artists.

RIP to a beautiful, elegant, hard-working, and Compassionate Duchess.

 

[Gawin]

Catherine of Braganza died in Portugal. Henrietta Maria died in France. The members of the Jacobite branch of the Stuarts obviously also died abroad. Charles II, despite converting to Catholicism on his deathbed, was buried at Westminster Abbey ... but it was a very quick and quiet funeral, so we don't really know what sort of service took place. Anne of Denmark may or may not have converted, but certainly didn't have a Catholic funeral. So probably back to Tudor times for a royal Catholic funeral in this countJames II's first wife Anne Hyde was probably the last Roman Catholic member of the BRF to die in Britain. She died a Catholic in 1671. But I don't know if she was given a Catholic or an Anglican funeral.

Catherine of Braganza died in Portugal. Henrietta Maria died in France. The members of the Jacobite branch of the Stuarts obviously also died abroad. Charles II, despite converting to Catholicism on his deathbed, was buried at Westminster Abbey ... but it was a very quick and quiet funeral, so we don't really know what sort of service took place. Anne of Denmark may or may not have converted, but certainly didn't have a Catholic funeral. So probably back to Tudor times for a royal Catholic funeral in this country.

James II's first wife Anne Hyde died a Roman Catholic in 1671. But I don't know if she had a Catholic funeral. If not, then - as you stated - we're back to the Tudors.

 

[tommy100]

The Duchess of Kent's obituary in The Times

Katharine, Duchess of Kent obituary: modernising member of royal fami…

archived 5 Sep 2025 14:31:43 UTC

archive.is

 

[Diarist]

I have always disliked the way that Princess Marina was so snobbish about the British aristocracy. She clearly failed to understand the nuances of British Society - just because the UK is more sparing over principalities, it does not denote a lack of 'breeding'. Calling the Queen Mother 'common' is clearly absurd; ditto the Yorkshire roots of the family of Katherine [are there any Yorkshire members of this forum? I would be interested on your take' on the situation.

By the way, the TImes obituarist missed the best story - when the Duke of Kent rushed to see Katherine on her return from 'exile', he was so excited to see her that he fell and broke his ankle!

 

[Prinsara]

She was never on my radar by the time I started royalwatching, but from everything said today, Katharine seems like she was a sincerely kind and very gracious person and the sort you’d enjoy speaking to.

I hope the Duke is all right.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I have always disliked the way that Princess Marina was so snobbish about the British aristocracy. She clearly failed to understand the nuances of British Society - just because the UK is more sparing over principalities, it does not denote a lack of 'breeding'.

I am not familiar with Princess Marina's attitudes towards the British aristocracy, but my understanding is that the modern Kingdom of Greece lacked a nobility and the Greek royal court had a reputation for being quite egalitarian by the lights of the 19th and early 20th centuries, so I am not sure where any snobbery on Princess Marina's part would have originated. Could she have perhaps simply disliked her daughter-in-law?

 

[Prinsara]

I am not sure where any snobbery on Princess Marina's part would have originated.

Try Marina’s three-quarter Romanov blood (with an extremely snobby social climbing maternal grandmother Grand Duchess Vladimir, who passed similar attitudes on to her only daughter and made it very difficult for Marina and her sisters to marry well enough to please their mother) and top it off with the utter devastations of the Romanovs, so that blood and status were all they had left.

I’m sure she had nothing objectionable against Katharine as a person, but I’m equally sure she undoubtedly thought Edward could and ought to have done (much) better.

 

[Katymcwaity]

I think it was as Prinsara says part of issue was she had no title. Although by most people’s standards then and now would be considered posh.

Hovingham is not far from where I live. The older people on the local FB page were reminiscing about the wedding. The wedding party apparently came through on the way to York Minster.

 

[Prinsara]

I think it was as Prinsara says part of issue was she had no title. Although by most people’s standards then and now would be considered posh.

There’s also the fact that Marina was a penniless princess with a grand snobbish mother, who managed to make a glittering match against a few odds, so she was probably wondering to herself “if I did it, how can there be no one ‘suitable’ he’s at all interested in?”

Also the notion that her mother was left widowed young enough so that her father couldn’t play a part in her marriage or her sisters’, and ditto Prince George — without his death and the ongoing stress and setdown it caused, Marina might not have clung to her pride and hauteur quite so much.

 

[the_qvds]

I am not familiar with Princess Marina's attitudes towards the British aristocracy, but my understanding is that the modern Kingdom of Greece lacked a nobility and the Greek royal court had a reputation for being quite egalitarian by the lights of the 19th and early 20th centuries, so I am not sure where any snobbery on Princess Marina's part would have originated. Could she have perhaps simply disliked her daughter-in-law?

No - After Edward & Katharine’s engagement, Marina & Kate got extremely close.

 

[BMC]

I always liked Katharine very much (see my avatar!) although I never got to see her except when she was presenting the trophies at Wimbledon. She always came across as a kind & thoughtful lady. Katharine had her struggles with her physical and mental health but she fought through them & eventually found peace.

May she rest in peace always.