Royal Mourning: Lady Helen Taylor and Prince Edward at Katharine's Funeral
ROyal Ruckus: Duchess of Kent's Funeral Rocks Westminster Cathedral
In a dramatic display of familial love and grief, Lady Helen Taylor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, took center stage at her mother's funeral today. The 61-year-old princess cut a somber figure in black as she delivered the second reading at the Catholic service held at Westminster Cathedral.
The late Duchess of Kent, Katharine, passed away on September 4 at the ripe age of 92 after a lengthy battle with ill health. Buckingham Palace confirmed that she died "peacefully" at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her loving family.
As the senior royals, including King Charles and Prince William, gathered to pay their respects, Lady Helen was seen walking arm-in-arm with her father, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, 89, who required a walking stick for support. Her brothers, George, Earl of St Andrews, 63, and Lord Nicholas Windsor, 55, were also in attendance, doting on their elderly patriarch.
The ceremony, which was the first Catholic funeral to be held at Westminster Cathedral in over three centuries, featured a poignant Scottish bagpipe lament, "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep," played by a piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards. This same tune had been performed during Queen Elizabeth II's funeral at Windsor Castle in 2022.
As the mourners filed into the cathedral, the eyes of the fashion world were on Lady Helen's stylish ensemble. Her hat, adorned with intricate tulle detail, was a masterclass in understated elegance. Meanwhile, Prince William was spotted sporting a white handkerchief tucked into his top pocket, while Kate Middleton opted for a black hat with a large bow and netting detail at the front.
But it wasn't just the royals who turned out to pay their respects. Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and actresses Rula Lenska and Dame Maureen Lipman were among the notable attendees.
The Duchess of Kent's funeral marked a poignant end to an era, as her husband, Prince Edward, is now the oldest living member of the Royal Family. The couple had been married for over six decades, but in recent years, Katharine's health had been declining.
In a touching tribute, her granddaughter, Lady Amelia Windsor, 30, shared a vintage photograph of her grandmother on Instagram, captioning it: "Rest in peace my amazing and beloved Amama [grandmother], we will miss and love you so much always and thank you to everyone who has sent such kind and touching messages, sending lots of love to all."
The Duchess's grandchildren, including Lady Marina Windsor, 32, and Albert Windsor, 17, were also in attendance, supporting their grandfather as he navigated the loss of his life partner.
As the funeral came to a close, the cortege made its way to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, where Katharine will be laid to rest alongside her husband. Flags flew at half-mast across all official royal residences in tribute to the late Duchess.
In a statement, the Prince and Princess of Wales paid their respects: "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".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also issued a tribute, describing Katharine as someone who brought "compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did". The Duchess had been a pillar of support for the royal family, attending significant events such as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
In her later years, Katharine continued to be an active member of the community, founding the charity Future Talent to support musical prodigies. However, due to her declining health, she was unable to attend major royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and King Charles's coronation.
As the Royal Family comes together to mourn the loss of a beloved matriarch, one thing is clear: Katharine, Duchess of Kent, will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
