The surprising musical taste of the Duchess of Kent

The late Duchess of Kent had a surprising musical taste.

Katharine, then 89, revealed in 2022 that she enjoyed gangsta rap music.

The Duchess confessed that she specifically enjoyed music from American rappers Eminem and Ice Cube.

The lifelong music lover also found enjoyment in beatboxing.

She told the Sunday Telegraph, “I just love music. Something that catches my ear on the radio — I don’t really listen to records. If it makes my feet tap, then I’m happy.

“I’ll listen to anything. I even like beatboxing.”

While she didn’t know the names of many artists she listened to, she pointed out Eminem and Ice Cube in the interview.

In 2014, she confessed to the Guardian, “If you see someone on the M40 looking particularly dotty, it’s me trying to rap in the car going home.”

She had previously called rap music “wonderful” and said it was “probably the second best to classical.”

The Duchess of Kent originally revealed her musical taste on BBC Radio 3 in 2005.

Even after becoming royal, Katharine taught music for 13 years at a primary school where she was known as Mrs. Kent. She also taught piano for many years and was associated with music schools and foundations. The Duchess was President of the Royal Northern College of Music and also served as the Director of the National Foundation for Youth Music for many years.

Her Royal Highness died on 4 September 2025 at Kensington Palace with her family by her side. Funeral details have not yet been released.