The Princess of Wales paid a visible tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh on Tuesday when she repeated a black Roland Mouret dress she had previously worn to Prince Philip’s funeral as she attended the Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in London.
Kate, 43, attended the private family service alongside senior royals, including King Charles III and her husband, the Prince of Wales, both dressed in black. She completed her ensemble with a veiled hat and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Japanese pearl choker, a four-row pearl necklace with a curved central diamond clasp that the Queen commissioned using pearls gifted by the Japanese government after her 1975 state visit.
The Roland Mouret dress, noted for its asymmetrical neckline, large bow and button detailing, has featured in the princess’s public wardrobe before: she first wore it at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in 2018 and again at Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021. Members of the royal household and observers noted the recurrence of the outfit as an understated acknowledgment of the late Duke, who died earlier this month.
Buckingham Palace announced the death of the Duchess of Kent, Katharine, earlier this month. She died at Wren House, within the grounds of Kensington Palace, surrounded by close family after a period of declining health. The duchess, who gave up full-time royal duties and the HRH title in 2002, co-founded the music charity Future Talent and spent more than a decade teaching music anonymously at a Hull primary school.
The Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral was a Catholic funeral, the first such service for a member of the monarchy in modern British history, and included a Scottish bagpipe lament that had been performed during the late Queen’s funeral at Windsor Castle in 2022. A piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards played "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" while processing from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary past the duchess’s coffin.
The Duke of Kent, 89, who had been married to Katharine for 64 years, appeared visibly emotional as he followed the coffin and watched as it was placed into the royal hearse. Members of the extended royal family present included Prince Michael of Kent, Lord Frederick Windsor, Lady Gabriella Windsor, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Prince Andrew attended with his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York. Public figures in attendance included former Formula One champion Sir Jackie Stewart and actresses Rula Lenska and Dame Maureen Lipman.
Two hours before the service, Buckingham Palace said Queen Camilla had withdrawn from attending as she recovered from acute sinusitis.
Following the duchess’s death, the Prince and Princess of Wales issued a joint statement signed "W & C," saying, "Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas. The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family." Prince William has previously spoken of his gratitude that the princess had had time to get to know his grandfather, saying she had "so many years" with Prince Philip.
Katharine, born Katharine Worsley, met Prince Edward, the current Duke of Kent, in 1956 and they married at York Minster on June 8, 1961 — the first royal wedding at that cathedral in 633 years. She retained a notable public profile in earlier decades, including attending the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and she was present at royal weddings in 2011 and 2018. In later years, her health prevented her from attending events such as Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles’s coronation.
At Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday, the congregation reflected the duchess’s long-standing interest in music and charity. The funeral combined ceremonial elements associated with the royal family and the duchess’s personal faith, and it brought together close family and a selection of public figures to mark her life and public service.