The Duchess of Kent’s coffin travelled from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral on Monday for a series of private funeral rites attended by her immediate family

The Duke of Kent has been seen in public for the first time since the sad passing of his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at the age of 92. The late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin was supported by his immediate family as they watched the Duchess’s coffin travel from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral on Monday. The private funeral rites are taking place on the eve of the late royal’s funeral service.

A military piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards, a regiment the duchess supported as deputy Colonel-in-Chief since its inception in 1992, walked ahead of the coffin. Other service personnel from the regiment acted as pallbearers, carrying the coffin into the cathedral, where it will rest overnight in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ahead of the coffin’s arrival, the Duke of Kent’s siblings, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, entered the cathedral to take their place before a series of private funeral rites. Funeral rites, including the Rite of Reception, where the coffin is sprinkled with holy water, and Vespers, evening prayers, took place on the eve of the requiem mass, accompanied by music, hymns and tributes.

The Duchess of Kent died peacefully at home on September 4, surrounded by her family. Katharine shared a daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, 61, and two sons, George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, 63, and Lord Nicholas Windsor, 55, with her husband of 64 years. She was also a grandmother to 10 children, including eco warrior Lady Amelia Windsor and her sister Lady Marina. The Duchess gave up her royal duties in 2002 with the blessing of the late Queen in order to focus on her true love – teaching. She worked in a primary school in Hull for 13 years before her retirement, where she was known to her pupils and colleagues simply as ‘Mrs Kent’. 

© Max Mumby

The Duke of Kent and Lady Helen Taylor

The Duke of Kent looked frail as he arrived at Westminster Cathedral, supported by his daughter Lady Helen Taylor. Holding a walking stick, he was greeted Father Slawomir Witoń, the dean of Westminster Cathedral, before watching his wife’s coffin being carried inside.

Lady Helen, who is 47th in line to the throne, is not a working royal and has lived a life free of royal constraint, working at Christie’s auction house and securing high-fashion brand deals over the years.

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Prince Michael of Kent

Prince Michael of Kent was one of the first guests to arrive at Westminster Cathedral, travelling separately from others. The Duke of Kent’s younger brother used a walking stick for support as he was ushered into the venue.

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Princess Michael of Kent

Princess Michael of Kent joined her husband ahead of other guests, who were transported in a black minibus. Close friends and family started arriving at the cathedral some 20 minutes before the arrival of the coffin.

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Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor

Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor were pictured arriving at the private funeral service for close family. Lord Frederick is the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. His actress wife Sophie Winkleman donned a mourning veil – both practical and symbolic in royal custom – and beautiful pearl earrings.

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Princess Alexandra

Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, was seen arriving at Westminster Cathedral in a wheelchair. The late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, who is the sister of the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent, paid her respects in a sombre black coat and wide-brimmed hats.

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Lady Amelia Windsor

Model Lady Amelia Windsor, clad in a button-down coat and sunglasses, looked solemn as she prepared to bid farewell to her beloved grandmother. Amelia, who is the daughter of George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews and Sylvana Tomaselli, previously took to Instagram to pay tribute to the Duchess of Kent following her death, posting a glamorous throwback photograph of her grandmother.

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Lady Amelia and sister Lady Marina Windsor

Her sister Lady Marina Windsor was by Lady Amelia’s side throughout. Donning a black velvet jacket and a pleated skirt, the royal was the picture of poise and grace for the sombre event.

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Lady Gabriella Windsor

Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, looked sombre in a flattering coat and wide-brimmed hat as she prepared to say her goodbyes in the private family service.

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The Duchess of Kent’s coffin

The Duchess’s coffin travelled from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral on Monday. Service personnel from the Royal Dragoon Guards, a regiment the duchess supported as deputy Colonel-in-Chief since its inception in 1992, acted as pallbearers.

© Max Mumby

Family in mourning

The Catholic funeral tradition provides a chance for the Duchess’s body to be formally welcomed into the church where the funeral service will take place. Family members were attached from the cathedral steps as the soldiers slowly carried the coffin.

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Show of support

Lady Gabriella helped her father as they exited the Cathedral. The pair watched the coffin procession in silence. It was draped with the royal standard featuring a white ermine border, signifying she was the spouse of a prince.

The Duchess of Kent’s funeral

King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with other members of the royal family, are set to attend the requiem mass on Tuesday. Her coffin will be taken by hearse to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor, following the funeral. It will be the first Catholic funeral service held for a member of the royal family in modern British history.

Katharine made royal history in 1992 when she converted to Catholicism, making history as the first member of the royal family to convert in over 300 years. Her husband, however, did not convert, which allowed him to remain in the line of succession. She expressed her wish to have her funeral at Westminster Cathedral; this will also mark the first royal funeral to be held there since the cathedral was completed in 1903.

On the eve of the funeral, fresh details were announced by the palace. The Duchess’s coffin, made from English willow in Bridgewater, Somerset, will be draped with the Royal Standard for Other Members of the Royal Family and adorned with a wreath. The wreath on top of the Duchess’s coffin will be made of British garden flowers and will feature white roses, symbolising the white rose of Yorkshire, her birthplace. After the Rite of Reception and Vespers on Monday evening, a Cross and a Book of The Gospels will be placed on the coffin inside the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Meanwhile, Piper from the Royal Dragoon Guards, a regiment the Duchess of Kent served as Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, will perform a Lament titled “Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.” The piper will walk from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, past the coffin, and down the center aisle of the cathedral. This same piece was played at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.

The late royal’s death was confirmed earlier this month in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace. It read: “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 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 The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”