Duchess of Kent laid to rest

The Duchess of Kent was laid to rest following a Catholic Requiem Mass in London’s Westminster Cathedral.

The Duchess’s husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren attended the Mass to honour their matriarch.

The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal Vincent Nichols led the private service. Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, and the Dean of Windsor assisted.

The Duke of Kent arrives for his wife’s funeral. Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

A special message from Pope Leo to King Charles was also read during the service by Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain.

It said:

“I was saddened to learn of the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent, and I send heartfelt condolences, together with the assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the Members of the Royal Family, and especially to her husband, The Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow. Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly Father, I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for The Duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people in society. To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I willingly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.”

Readings were also given by the late royal’s children and grandchildren.

She was buried in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore after the Mass.

King Charles was joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at the funeral. The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke of York also attended. Queen Camilla had to pull out of the event due to illness at the last minute.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

This was the first Catholic funeral for a member of the Royal Family in modern times. The Duchess of Kent converted to Catholicism in 1994.

The Duchess of Kent, the wife of Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, died at Kensington Palace on 4 September at the age of 92. Her family was at her side.