King Charles will attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral, while Queen Camilla was unable to attend due to illness.
QUEEN CAMILLA SENDS HER REGRETS
The Queen, aged 78, is recovering from acute sinusitis and sent her “deep regrets” for missing the service.
Despite this, Buckingham Palace confirmed she will join the state visit of President Trump in Windsor on Wednesday.
The funeral marks the first Catholic royal funeral in modern times.
THE DUCHESS OF KENT’S FUNERAL
The Duke of Kent, the duchess’s husband and first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was present along with their three children.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also paid tribute to the music-loving duchess.
During the service, a message from Pope Leo was read aloud. The Pope praised the duchess’s “dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people.”
He also extended “heartfelt condolences” to the King, Duke of Kent, and family.
THE DUCHESS OF KENT AND PASSAGE CHARITY
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who led the service, called the duchess a “very down-to-earth person”. He recalled her volunteering at the Passage charity, which supports the homeless, according to Sky News.
“She entered very wholeheartedly into serving people,” he said. The Cardinal described the funeral as “a family gathering to honour a woman who deeply loved.”
LOVE FOR MUSIC
Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, who passed away at 92, had a strong passion for music and sports. She once worked as a primary school music teacher, known as Mrs Kent, unaware of her royal identity to the pupils.
The service featured her favourite music, including Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus and pieces by JS Bach. A piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep, a lament also performed at the late Queen’s funeral.
THE ROYAL BURIAL
The Duchess of Kent was also a familiar face at Wimbledon, comforting players, including Jana Novotna, after tough losses.
Following the service, her coffin will be laid to rest at the royal burial ground in Frogmore, Windsor.
