Lady Marina Windsor and family friend and goddaughter India Hicks paid public tribute after Buckingham Palace announced that Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, had died peacefully on Thursday at her home in Kensington Palace, surrounded by family.
The palace statement said the King and Queen and all members of the Royal Family join the Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning and remembering the Duchess’s "life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people." No further details about the cause of death were released.
Lady Marina, one of the Duchess’s ten grandchildren, posted several photographs on Instagram showing the Duchess in youth and later life and wrote: "Rest in peace my amazing and beloved Amama, we will miss and love you so much always... My amazing Amama, I love you always and forever and more than words could ever say." The images included wedding-day portraits from 1961, a photo of the Duchess cuddling a koala, and a more recent snapshot of her in a casual shirt and jeans.
India Hicks, 58, who called the Duchess her "beloved godmother," shared a photograph and a series of memories on Instagram, saying she woke to the news of the Duchess’s death. Hicks described the Duchess as an "involved godmum," recalling that she "never forgot a birthday or Christmas," and related a childhood anecdote about receiving an engraved gold cross after her grandfather’s funeral in 1979. Hicks said the Duchess attended her christening, confirmation and her daughter’s christening, and that letters the Duchess sent to boarding school were written in a distinctive hand.
Other family members also posted brief social media tributes. Lady Amelia Windsor shared a black-and-white photograph of the Duchess accompanied by a heart emoji.
A death notice was placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace and the Union Flag was lowered to half mast. Buckingham Palace said the King approved Royal Mourning to run until and including the day of the Duchess’s funeral, to be held a week after her death in accordance with her wishes.
The Duchess, who converted to Catholicism in 1992, is expected to have a Catholic funeral, officials said. During the designated mourning period, members of the Royal Family and staff will wear appropriate clothing and those in livery, the Royal Mews and troops on public duties will wear black armbands. The palace said visits by family to pay respects in person will remain private and that an online Book of Condolence would be made available in the coming days.
Downing Street and royal households issued tributes. In a statement signed "W & C," the Prince and Princess of Wales said their thoughts were with the Duke of Kent and his family. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the Duchess for bringing "compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did." Buckingham Palace highlighted her support for musical and youth organisations among many causes she backed.
The Duchess had not been a working royal since 2002 and her health declined in recent years; she did not attend the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral or the King’s coronation. She was present at a number of public royal events in earlier years, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the weddings of senior royals in 2011 and 2018.
Buckingham Palace said details of royal attendance at the funeral would be released in the coming days and indicated most, if not all, family members would attend, including non-working royals. The palace noted that Prince Harry is expected to be in the UK next week. The King was at Balmoral when informed of the Duchess’s death, the palace added.
The Duchess is survived by her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, their three children and ten grandchildren. The Royal Family’s website will reflect the announcement and the Duchess’s life and service in the days ahead.