By Sinead Dalton
Copyright evoke
It was a day for prayers and remembrance as Princess Kate and her husband, Prince William, attended the funeral of the late Duchess of Kent.
Katharine, who died at the age of 92, was married to Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, in 1961 and became the oldest member of the family when the Monarch died in 2022.
Katharine was the first royal to convert to Catholicism in 300 years in 1994 and requested that her funeral be held at Westminster Cathedral. Her funeral is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history.
Dressed in a long black dress, with an elegant black lace veil, and a fascinator hat, Kate broke the sea of black with a classic pearl necklace.
Kate, who carried a small Chanel handbag, stood by her husband William as they made their way into the Church to show their respects.
In learning about Katharine’s death, the couple released a statement highlighting the positive influence she had on them and those around her.
A woman who ‘worked tirelessly’ to help others, they continued by stating that ‘Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.’
Katharine was a talented pianist, organist and singer who shunned the royal spotlight, going so far as to drop her HRH title, preferring to be referred to as ‘Mrs. Kent,’ and spending her time teaching music in a primary school in Hull.
A keen tennis fan, she was often remembered for famously consoling a devastated Jana Novotna when she became emotional after losing to Steffi Graf during the women’s final at Wimbledon in 1993.
Several members of the British royal family were seen at the funeral on Tuesday, which saw a military piper lead those into the service, which was held for just immediate family members.
Among those at the service were Katharine’s husband, the Duke of Kent, and their three surviving children, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
They stayed close together to support each other during this difficult time.
Other royals who were in attendance were The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, Princess Anne, Fergie, and Prince Andrew.
