The Prince and Princess of Wales have issued a deeply personal statement following the death of the Duchess of Kent, who passed away peacefully at Kensington Palace on Thursday evening at the age of 92.
Their message came just hours after Buckingham Palace announced the sad news to the public. The royal couple said their thoughts were with the Duke of Kent, their children George, Helen and Nicholas, and reflected on the Duchess’s remarkable charitable legacy.
In their statement, Prince William and Kate Middleton said: “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 & C.”
The tribute was shared across their official social media accounts, underlining the personal sense of loss within the Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace later released a formal statement, confirming: “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.” The statement went on to note her “lifelong devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”
The Union Flag was lowered to half-mast at royal residences, and an online Book of Condolence is expected to open in the coming days. King Charles III, who was informed while staying at Balmoral, has authorised a period of Royal Mourning to last until the day of the funeral. Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed, though it is widely expected to be a Catholic service, following the Duchess’s conversion to Catholicism in 1992.
The Duchess of Kent, born Katharine Worsley, married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961 and became a much-loved member of the Royal Family. She gained public admiration for her warmth, particularly at Wimbledon, where she comforted players who had suffered defeat. One of the most memorable moments came in 1993, when she tenderly consoled a tearful Jana Novotná after her loss in the final.
A keen supporter of music and education, the Duchess became patron of numerous charities and was instrumental in promoting access to classical music for young people. In 2002, she stepped back from public duties and voluntarily relinquished the style of “Her Royal Highness,” choosing instead to live a quieter, more private life away from the royal spotlight.
Despite her reduced public role, Katharine remained deeply respected within the monarchy and beyond. Tributes have already begun to flow in from organisations she supported, recognising her decades of charitable commitment and her unique role in modern royal history.
The funeral is expected to bring together both senior and non-working royals, alongside representatives from the many charities she championed. The Duchess’s passing marks the end of a long chapter of dedicated service and personal devotion to causes close to her heart.
Her death will also be felt profoundly by her husband, the Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who has long carried out duties on behalf of the monarchy.
The Duchess of Kent’s legacy is one of compassion, music, and service — qualities that endeared her to both the Royal Family and the public. For many, she will be remembered not only as a royal consort but as a woman of empathy and quiet dignity.
As Prince William and Kate Middleton’s words make clear, her absence will be keenly felt within the royal household. The coming days will see the Royal Family unite in grief, while the nation reflects on the life of a remarkable duchess whose understated presence left a lasting mark on the monarchy.