A quiet sadness has fallen over the Royal Family. Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, has passed away at the age of 92.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the news on Friday, September 5th. Their statement, shared with Us Weekly, expressed deep sorrow. It noted the Duchess passed peacefully at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her loved ones last night.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla quickly shared their grief. The King, Queen, and the entire Royal Family mourned alongside the Duke of Kent, his children, and grandchildren. They fondly remembered her lifelong dedication to various organizations. Her love for music and her kindness towards young people were also highlighted.
Katharine stepped back from active royal duties in 2002. She leaves behind her husband, Prince Edward, who is now 89. They also have three children and ten grandchildren. The couple first met when the Duke was stationed at a military base in Yorkshire, England. They married in 1961.
She made history in 1994 with a very personal choice. Katharine became the first royal family member to convert to Catholicism. Most royals belong to the Church of England. She told the BBC then, “I love rules, and the Catholic Church gives you rules.” She explained, “I always wanted that in my life. I like knowing what’s expected of me.” She added, “I like being told: You have to go to Mass on Sundays, and if you don’t, then you face the consequences.”
After leaving her royal role, Katharine found a new purpose. She became a music teacher. She later told The Telegraph in 2022 about her time teaching. “They only knew me as Mrs. Kent,” she recalled. “Only the headteacher knew who I really was. Parents and students had no idea.” She added, “Nobody ever noticed. There was no publicity; it just worked out.”
Katharine also shared that Queen Elizabeth II supported her decision to teach. “I wasn’t trying to hide anything,” she said to the outlet. “It just happened in my life.” She explained, “The Queen even told me, ‘Yes, go and do it,’ so I did.”
Beyond teaching, Katharine also helped young musicians. In 2004, she co-founded Future Talent. This non-profit group helps talented young musicians from tough backgrounds across the UK.