Newsroom
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has died at the age of 92, Buckingham Palace announced Friday. She passed away peacefully at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
Married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, for more than six decades, Katharine was the oldest surviving member of the royal family after the late Queen’s death. The King and Queen, along with the wider Royal Family, said they are mourning her loss and remembering her lifelong passion for music, young people, and the many charities she supported.
Born in 1933, Katharine showed an early love for music, learning piano, organ, and violin. She studied music at Oxford and later taught at schools and worked in children’s homes before her marriage in 1961. She and Prince Edward had three children and ten grandchildren.
For years, she was a familiar face at Wimbledon, where she famously presented the Ladies’ Singles Trophy. Beyond public ceremonies, she carved out her own legacy in music education. After stepping back from royal duties in 2002, she focused on teaching music and founded the charity Future Talent in 2004, helping children access instruments, tuition, and opportunities to pursue careers in music.
Her humanitarian work also stretched globally, she traveled with UNICEF and other groups to highlight poverty in countries like Cambodia and Nepal. At home, she volunteered with charities supporting the homeless. In 1994, she made headlines when she converted to Roman Catholicism, a rare move for a senior royal at the time.
Katharine will be remembered not only for her royal role but also for her warmth, empathy, and determination to use her position to make a difference in young people’s lives.
