The Duchess of Kent, Katharine, has died peacefully at the age of 92 at Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday. Known for her warmth, empathy, and lifelong devotion to charitable causes, she was the oldest member of the Royal Family and the wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“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,” the Palace said in a statement. The flag at Buckingham Palace has been lowered to half-mast in her honour.
Born Katharine Worsley in Yorkshire, she married the Duke of Kent in 1961 and became a familiar face at Wimbledon, presenting trophies and consoling players, most memorably comforting a tearful Jana Novotna in 1993. Five years later, she was there again to present the trophy to Novotna, reflecting her enduring connection to the tournament and its players.
The duchess had a profound love of music, singing in the Bach Choir and supporting music charities. She also taught music at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull for more than a decade, known to pupils simply as “Mrs Kent,” without anyone knowing her royal identity. She championed music education for young people, highlighting the transformative power of music to build confidence and self-belief, and established a charity to help children access musical instruments.
Her life was marked by both public and private challenges. The stillbirth of a son in 1977 led to a period of intense emotional turmoil, during which she spoke openly in later years about her struggles with “acute depression.” Despite these hardships, she maintained her commitment to public service and the arts.
The duchess is survived by her husband, aged 89, and their three children. Her life will be remembered for her compassion, her devotion to young people, and her unwavering support for music, leaving a lasting legacy both within the Royal Family and the communities she touched.
