Duchess of Kent Passes Away at 92
The Duchess of Kent, known for her dedication to music and her role at Wimbledon, has died at 92, Buckingham Palace announced.
The Duchess of Kent, Katharine Worsley, passed away peacefully on Thursday night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday. She was 92.
Born on February 22, 1933, to Col. Sir William Worsley and Lady Worsley, Katharine married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961. The couple had three children: George, Earl of St. Andrews; Lady Helen Windsor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
The Duchess was closely associated with the Wimbledon tennis tournament, presenting trophies at the Ladies' Singles Final for many years. She notably comforted runner-up Jana Novotna after the 1993 final, a gesture that resonated with many.
In 1994, she became the first British royal in over 300 years to convert to Roman Catholicism. Beyond her royal duties, she was passionate about music, teaching the subject at a primary school in Hull for several years and founding the charity Future Talent to support young musicians.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences, stating, "She brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did." King Charles III and the royal family remembered "the Duchess's lifelong devotion to all the organizations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people."
The Union Jack over Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast in her honor, and a period of royal mourning has been approved until the day of her funeral. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.