Buckingham Palace has announced the death of the Duchess of Kent, wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and cousin to the late Queen. She died peacefully on Thursday evening at her Kensington Palace residence, surrounded by family. She was 92.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, was widely regarded as an extraordinary figure within the Royal Family. In 1992, she made headlines when she converted to Catholicism, a rare step for a senior royal at the time. A decade later, she relinquished her full-time royal duties and the use of her “Her Royal Highness” title, choosing instead to live a quieter life away from the public spotlight.
Despite stepping back from official duties, the Duchess remained a familiar presence at Wimbledon, where she presented trophies for many years. One of her most memorable public moments came in 1993 when she comforted a tearful Jana Novotna after her defeat in the Women’s Singles final — a gesture remembered around the world.
The Palace formally confirmed her passing at noon on Friday. She is survived by her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their three children.
