Catherine, Princess of Wales, paid a discreet tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing one of Her Majesty’s pearl chokers as she joined senior royals at the Requiem Mass for Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday.
The piece, often described as a Japanese choker, comprises four rows of pearls with a curved central diamond clasp and was reportedly commissioned from pearls gifted to the Queen by the Japanese government following her 1975 state visit. The necklace was worn by Elizabeth II on multiple occasions during her 70-year reign and was loaned to Diana, Princess of Wales, in the early 1980s. Catherine has previously worn the choker, including at the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th wedding anniversary dinner in 2017.
Dressed in full black mourning attire, the 43-year-old Princess of Wales paired the choker with pearl drop earrings, a Roland Mouret dress she has worn at previous royal services, and a black fascinator. She arrived at the cathedral alongside her husband, Prince William, and joined King Charles and other members of the royal family inside for the Catholic requiem mass, the first of its kind for a member of the monarchy in modern British history.
The service included a Scottish bagpipe lament, "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep," played by a piper from the Royal Dragoon Guards as the procession moved from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary past the Duchess’s coffin and down the central aisle. The tune was also played at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.
Among those attending were the King, who arrived with his principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of York with his former wife Sarah Ferguson, who walked in together. Former Formula One champion Sir Jackie Stewart and actresses Rula Lenska and Dame Maureen Lipman were also present.
Following the announcement of the duchess’s death earlier this month, the Prince and Princess of Wales issued a joint tribute 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."
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, died at Wren House, her home at Kensington Palace, at the age of 92. She had been unwell for some time and was surrounded by family. She became the oldest living member of the royal family after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
A noted patron of music and of charitable work, the duchess co-founded the Future Talent charity to support talented young musicians who lacked access to resources and mentoring. In a statement, Future Talent said it was "deeply saddened" by her death and praised her as the visionary behind the organisation.
Nicholas Robinson OBE, a co-founder of Future Talent and a friend of the duchess for more than two decades, described her as "compassionate" and "genuinely selfless." He told the Daily Mail that she had been a hands-on founder and trustee who was "so hardworking" and that her passion for helping young people drive the charity’s work. He recalled her 13 years teaching anonymously in a Hull primary school, where she was known simply as Katharine or "Mrs Kent," travelling regularly to teach music and inspire children.
Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley on Feb. 22, 1933, she grew up at Hovingham Hall in North Yorkshire and developed a lifelong love of music, studying piano, organ and violin. She married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, at York Minster on June 8, 1961. The marriage produced three children: George, Earl of St Andrews; Lady Helen Taylor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
The duchess was known for being both glamorous and quietly determined to pursue charitable causes. She stepped back from full-time royal duties in 2002 and relinquished the use of the HRH style to live a life away from the spotlight. Her withdrawal from public duties followed personal tragedies and was accompanied by her conversion to Catholicism, a move that required and received the Queen’s permission.
Her public acts of empathy were remembered alongside her private work. One well-known moment came at Wimbledon in 1993, when she comforted Czech player Jana Novotná after a heartbreaking loss on Centre Court, an image that resonated with the public and illustrated her personal touch.
At the requiem mass, members of the royal family and guests were seated in the nave and listened to readings and hymns reflecting the duchess’s faith and lifelong commitment to music. In recent years she had not attended some major royal events, including the late Queen’s funeral and the King’s coronation, owing to her declining health.
Those close to the duchess and the organisations she supported highlighted her lasting legacy in music education and charity. Robinson said that the duchess’s vision ensured "there should be no child in this country who had musical talent who couldn't develop that talent because they didn't have the right means, support and access," and he described Future Talent’s work as a continuation of her mission to give young people opportunity and mentorship.
The Requiem Mass for Katharine, Duchess of Kent, brought together members of the royal family, friends, and figures from public life to mark the life of a royal whose service combined public duty with discreet, long-term charitable endeavour. Funeral arrangements are expected to continue to reflect the duchess’s lifelong affiliation with music and the causes she supported.