On Tuesday, September 16th, Westminster Cathedral hosted a momentous event — the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Not only was this the first royal funeral held at Westminster Cathedral since its completion in 1903, but it also marked a historic milestone as the first modern-era Catholic royal funeral in the United Kingdom.
Members of the British Royal Family gathered at the Cathedral in London, to pay their respects. Led by King Charles himself, senior royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales attended this solemn occasion. Their presence signified a new chapter in royal tradition, especially considering that this was the first time a reigning monarch attended a Catholic funeral in an official capacity on UK soil since the Reformation in the 16th century!
The Prince & Princess of Wales and Sophie – Duchess of Edinburgh
The funeral of the Duchess of Kent was truly unique in modern royal history. Katharine, who peacefully passed away at the age of 92 on September 4th at Kensington Palace, was honoured with a Catholic Requiem Mass.
The 89-year-old Duke, who is the cousin of late Queen Elizabeth II and a grandson of King George V, was joined by the three children he shares with the duchess, their spouses and 10 grandchildren
Their eldest son, George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, 63, was present with his children: Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, Lady Marina Windsor and the model Lady Amelia Windsor
Lady Helen Taylor, 61, attended with her four children – Columbus, Cassius, Eloise and Estella – whom she shares with her husband Timothy Taylor.
Lord Nicholas Windsor, 55, the Kent’s youngest son, joined his siblings with his three children: Albert, Leopold and Louis.
A notable highlight during the service led by Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols, was apparently a special message delivered during the service from Pope Leo, praising her for “her lifelong devotion to her charitable work, her passion for music, and her empathy for young people.” This marked the first occasion in British royal history where a papal message was read at a royal funeral.
Unlike many royal funerals which are broadcast to the public, this service was private, attended mainly by family, close friends, and representatives from her charitable organizations. I was fortunate to witness this historic moment from outside the Cathedral, among approximately just 500 others, as we observed a significant event in both Royal and Catholic history.
As the service concluded, the funeral procession was led by a piper from the Royal Dragoon Guards — a regiment the Duchess supported as Deputy Colonel in Chief since 1992. The piper played “Sleep, Dearie, Sleep,” the same lament performed at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, creating a poignant connection to recent royal history. The coffin was carried by 8 officers of the Royal Dragoon Guards from the cathedral to the Royal Hearse.
This was another notable link to the late Queen – the use of the state hearse, which arrived outside Westminster Cathedral to transport the Duchess’s coffin for a private burial at Frogmore. The last time that vehicle was used in royal service was during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. This would have been very poignant for not only King Charles but also The Princess Royal and the Prince and Princess of Wales alongside Sophie, the new Duchess of Edinburgh, seeing the Royal Hearse in use.
Duchess of Edinburgh
Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent (born October 9, 1935), now becomes the oldest living member of the British Royal family after the death of his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, on September 4, 2025, this makes him the current oldest royal at 89 years old.
He is still a working royal who has been a consistent presence in the family, performing public duties since 1953 and remaining involved with over 140 charities and organisations.
Photography By MrG 