By Editor,Rebecca English

Copyright dailymail

The Duchess of Kent was carried out of Kensington Palace for the final time tonight ahead of her funeral tomorrow.

In a sign of the respect and admiration she had earned from the Royal Family over many decades of service, her coffin was transported in the Royal Hearse, designed by Queen Elizabeth II.

It was movingly proceeded on departure from the royal residence that had been her home, by a lone Piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards, of which she had been Deputy Colonel-in-Chief since its inception in 1992.

Katharine – or Mrs Kent as she preferred to be called in her no-nonsense, down-to-earth Yorkshire way – died on September 4 at the age of 92 after a period of ill-health.

She was the oldest living member of the Royal Family at the time.

The wife of the Duke of Kent, cousin of Queen Elizabeth and grandson of King George V was universally admired for her beauty and elegance.

However she was equally renowned for her compassion and dignity, seeking permission from the late Queen to convert to Catholicism and give up full-time royal duties following a series of personal tragedies to work as a music teacher in a Hull primary school.

She also founded a charity, Future Talent, to support some of the country’s brightest but under-supported musical prodigies.

Her coffin has rested in the private chapel at Kensington Palace since her passing to allow members of the family to pay their respects privately.

Today is the start of her final journey, when it leaves the west London palace for the short journey to Westminster Cathedral for what will the first Royal Catholic funeral in modern history.

Although names will not be confirmed until the day, a full turn-out of the Royal Family is expected.

The coffin exited the palace at 4.45pm to begin the 15-minute journey to Westminster Cathedral, the heart of the Catholic faith in London.

The distinctive claret-coloured Royal Hearse – also known as the State Hearse – was last seen in use in 2022 when Queen Elizabeth died.

It was built by Jaguar Land Rover in consultation with the Royal Household and the Queen herself.

It features expansive rear windows and a glass roof – apparently personally requested by Her Late Majesty – which offers a full view of any coffin contained inside.

The coffin is being taken to Westminster Cathedral for a private Vigil for the Deceased and Rite of Reception, as well as Vespers for the Dead – an evening prayer service – attended by Her Royal Highness’ immediate family.

The Bearer Party receiving the coffin at the place of worship will also be formed by Duchess’ beloved The Royal Dragoon Guards.

The coffin will rest overnight in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, before Requiem Mass, a Catholic funeral service, tomorrow afternoon.

Having travelled the three miles from Kensington Palace, the Royal Hearse arrived shortly before 5pm, the sun shining brightly as the Union flag flew at half mast.

Her coffin, covered in the royal standard, differentiated from other senior royals by its white border, was accompanied by members of her immediate family.

Service personnel from the Royal Dragoon Guards, a regiment the duchess supported as deputy Colonel-in-Chief since its inception in 1992, formed the bearer party.

Earlier, a lone piper from the same regiment led the Duchess of Kent’s coffin as she left Kensington Palace for the final time.

The musician played as it travelled the short distance from the royal residence to the main road, before the Royal Hearse made its way to Westminster Cathedral via police convoy.

Close friends and family started arriving at the cathedral some 20 minutes before the arrival of the coffin.

A minibus transported over a dozen guests dressed in black, while Prince and Princess Michael of Kent arrived first in a separate vehicle, followed by Princess Alexandra.

As the bearer party carefully retrieved the coffin from the hearse, the Duchess’ immediate family formed a line at the top of the cathedral’s steps for the rite of reception.

The Catholic funeral tradition provides a chance for the Duchess’s body to be formally welcomed into the church where the funeral service will taking place.

The Duke of Kent, holding a walking stick, greeted Father Slawomir WitoÅ„, the dean of Westminster Cathedral, before watching his wife’s coffin carried inside.

The Requiem Mass will be held tomorrow, falling 12 days after Katharine died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.

It will be attended by the King, Queen and other senior royals, marking the first Catholic funeral service held for a member of the royal family in modern British history.

The funeral rites on Monday evening included a Vigil for the Deceased, Rite of Reception, which usually involves the coffin being sprinkled with holy water, and evening prayers known as Vespers will be taken by Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Titular Bishop of Ramsbury.

The sombre event is usually marked by prayers, music, hymns and tributes.

Katharine, wife of the late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Kent, converted to Catholicism in 1992.

A devout follower of the Roman Catholic faith, the duchess became the first member of the royal family to convert to Catholicism in more than 300 years. Her husband did not convert, so he remained in the line of succession.

The King and Queen, as well as members of the Royal Family, will join The Duke of Kent and members of the Duchess’ family at the service.

Meanwhile Prince and Princess Michael of Kent arrived at Westminster Abbey in a mini bus with other family members. The Prince, 83, is the Duke of Kent’s brother.

The Duke of Kent’s sister, Princess Alexandra, 88, also arrived by taxi and in a wheelchair.

The Duke of Kent is now the oldest living member of the Royal Family following the death of his wife.