Royal Sad News: Buckingham Palace officially announced the passing of Her Royal Highness Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, the wife of HRH Prince Edward. She Died away at 92!
Buckingham Palance Announced Katharine, Duchess Of Kent Has Died away at 92!
It’s the first d3ath of a senior member of the British royal family after Queen Elizabeth’s passing in September 2022. According to the official statement, the Duchess, “passed away peacefully last night (September 4, 2025) at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family”. The Duchess of Kent retired from royal duty in the 1990s. She shared three children with the Duke of Kent: George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor. She lived with the Duke of Kent at Wren House in the grounds of Kensington Palace. Katharine, Duchess of Kent (born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley) was born on 22 February 1933, the only daughter of Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet, and his wife Joyce Morgan Brunner. She became the oldest living member of the British royal family after the passing of Queen Elizabeth on 8 September 2022.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has passed away, as Buckingham Palace has announced the death of the oldest living member of the royal family.
The Duchess Of Kent Was Married To Prince Edward, The Duke Of Kent
The announcement from Buckingham Palace read,
“It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.”
It continued,
“Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.”
They added,
“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.”
It concluded,
“The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organizations with which she was associated, her passion for music, and her empathy for young people.”
In another statement, Kate Middleton and Prince William released a joint statement,
“Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen, and Nicholas.”
They added,
“The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and many supported causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much-missed member of the royal family.”
She was born Katharine Worsley on February 22, 1933, in Yorkshire. She was the youngest daughter of Sir William Worsley and Joyce Brunner.
The Duchess of Kent was one of the most elegant and glamorous royals of this generation. She was married to Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin, Prince Edward.
Katharine Passed Away At Wren House, Her Marital Home In Kensington Palace
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, was admired for her determination to carve out her own path in life. Sadly, she had been sick for several years and passed away at Wren House, her marital home in Kensington Palace.
King Charles is currently on his summer holiday at Balmoral. The King has permitted that Royal Mourning must take place until and including the time of the Duchess’s funeral.
Her funeral will be held sometime next week. During this time, members of the royal family will wear clothing that pays appropriate tribute to the Duchess during this period.
The Duchess was once known as “Caring Kate.” She was beloved for her empathy and kindness. She was also open about her physical and mental health during a time in which those discussions were relatively taboo.
Katharine shared how she experienced a miscarriage and gave birth to a stillborn son. She spoke with the Telegraph 20 years after her miscarriage and said,
“It had the most devastating effect on me.”
She added,
“I had no idea how such a thing could be to any woman. It made me extremely understanding of others who suffer a stillbirth.”
She also felt that she didn’t take enough time to grieve her loss.
The Duchess Is Survived By Her Husband And Their Three Children
Katharine broke barriers by speaking openly about her struggles. Another significant event in her life, which was a joyful occasion, was her marriage to Prince Edward and her official joining of the royal family in 1961.
At the time, their wedding was unique because it was the first royal wedding to take place at York Minster in 600 years.
She was also the first member of the royal family to convert to Catholicism in over 300 years.
The Duchess is renowned for her compassionate nature.”
She embraced the heartbroken tennis player Jana Novotna after her defeat to Steffi Graf in the 1993 Wimbledon final, which was considered groundbreaking due to the Duchess’s relatability.
Katharine and Edward had three children together. Their sons’ names are George, Earl of St. Andrews, and Lord Nicholas Windsor. They also have a daughter, Lady Helen Taylor.
The Duchess of Kent stepped down as a working royal in 2002. She was a music educator at Wansbeck Primary School in Kingston upon Hull, and she also taught piano music.
In 2004, she established the charity Future Talent, which provides music support, instruments, and classes to underprivileged children aged 6 to 18.
Queen Elizabeth II admired Katharine for her strong sense of loyalty and faith. She was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, and in 1989, she was also presented with the Honorary Freedom of the City of York.
The Duchess of Kent called herself a “Yorkshire lass,” and she was described by The Telegraph in 2022 as “the original royal rebel with a cause.”
