By Catriona Rigney,Charlotte Foster,Jennifer Newton
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The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, have arrived to the funeral service for the Duchess of Kent. The Royal couple joined other members of the Royal Family, including King Charles, Princess Anne and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and the close family of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral to pay their respects to the late Duchess, who was the wife of the Duke of Kent – the late Queen’s cousin.
William and Kate, both dressed in black, arrived together for the sombre occasion. William had a white handkerchief tucked in his top pocket, while Kate wore a black hat with a large bow at the back and netting detail at the front, and pearl earrings, with her hair down at the back.
Kate wore a four strand pearl and diamond choker necklace which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. The princess wore the piece to the late Queen’s state funeral in 2022.
Earlier today it was announced by Buckingham Palace that Queen Camilla would not be attending as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.
A palace spokesperson said: “With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s requiem mass for the Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.
“Her thoughts and prayers will be with the Duke of Kent and all the family.”
The Duchess of Kent, Katharine, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on the evening of 4 September at the age of 92. Her Catholic funeral, a requiem mass, is the first to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history, reports the Mirror.
Upon her passing earlier this month, William and Kate expressed their condolences in a heartfelt message: “Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.
“The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family. W and C.”
On Monday evening, the Duchess’s coffin was transported from her Kensington Palace residence to Westminster Cathedral where it has been at rest overnight in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York were also present at the funeral service.
Former Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and actresses Rula Lenska and Dame Maureen Lipman were also among the mourners at the cathedral, conducted by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales.
