On 8 June 2026, the Duke and Duchess of Kent would have marked their 65th wedding anniversary. Tragically, the Duchess of Kent died on 4 September 2025. Nevertheless, we shall be taking a look at their wedding day in 1961.
On 8 March 1961, the engagement between the Duke of Kent and Katharine Worlsey was announced. The New York Times reported, “The engagement of Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was announced today. He will marry Katharina Worsley, daughter of Sir William Worsley, Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire, and Lady Worsley. The date and place of the wedding will be announced later. The Duke, who is 25 years old, is the elder son of the Duchess of Kent and eighth in succession to the throne. He succeeded to the duchy in August 1942 when his father was killed in an airplane accident while on war service. He is also a cousin of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Miss Worsley, 28, gave up a teaching career to help her mother manage the family’s large estate at Hovingham. The Duke has made the army his career. He is a captain and was recently assigned to the War Office in London.”1
The wedding took place on 8 June 1961 at York Minster, which had not seen a royal wedding in over 600 years.
Katharine wore a white silk gauze dress designed by John Cavanagh. It had a high neckline, long sleeves and a train. Katharine wore the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara to secure her veil. She was walked down the aisle by her father. The Duke of Kent wore the ceremonial uniform of the Royal Scots Greys and was accompanied by his brother, Prince Michael of Kent.
(Screenshot/Fair Use)
Dr Arthur M. Ramsey, the Archbishop of York and future Archbishop of Canterbury, “brought the bride and groom together.”2 Among the over 2000 guests were 24 members of European royal families.
Following the wedding, Katharine became known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent.
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