The Duchess of Kent was an “advocate for children and young people’s welfare”, the Archbishop of York has said following her death at 92.
The duchess – Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley – was born in Hovingham and attended Queen Margaret’s School in Escrick.
She married Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, at York Minster in June 1961.
The Duke and Duchess of Kent after their marriage service at York Minster on June 8, 1961 (Image: PA) The duchess preferred to be known as Mrs Kent and dropped her HRH style, retreating from royal life to spend more than a decade teaching music in a state primary school in Hull.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the duchess died peacefully on Thursday evening (September 4) at her Kensington Palace home surrounded by her family.
She was an unassuming charity worker, who displayed compassion and understanding, volunteering for the Samaritans and touring countries as a Unicef ambassador.
At the Wimbledon tennis championships, where she presented trophies for many years, she claimed a place in the affections of many as the warm-hearted royal who consoled losing finalists, notably a tearful Jana Novotna in 1993.
(Left to right) the Duchess of Kent, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince William chat in the Royal Box during the Women’s Singles Final at Wimbledon on July 2, 1994 (Image: Neil Munns/PA Wire) “Millions will remember her comfort and kindness exemplified in her embrace of Jana Novotna in the final at Wimbledon, whose patron she was for many years,” said Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York.
He said Katharine was an “advocate for children and young people’s welfare throughout her life. She taught and encouraged generations of young musicians.”
“She was held in high esteem by all who met her and knew her,” Mr Cottrell added.
“I pray for the repose of her soul and that HRH The Duke of Kent, their children and all the royal family may know the consolation and comfort that comes from our common Christian faith. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley on February 22, 1933, she had an aristocratic upbringing as the only daughter of landowner Colonel Sir William Worsley – a baronet – and Lady Worsley of Hovingham Hall.
She married King George V’s grandson Edward, Duke of Kent, dubbed Steady Eddie by the royal family for his dependable service, in a grand ceremony at the Minster in 1961 and became known for her elegant fashion style.
The pair have three surviving children, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
Katharine was named the “world’s best dressed woman” on several occasions and was once spotted in London’s Oxford Street in a miniskirt.
But she was naturally shy and once admitted she had never gained confidence.
“It is one of the reasons I am always trying to boost other people’s self-esteem, because I know what it’s like not to have it,” she said.
The Duchess of Kent during day eleven of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships (Image: Rebecca Naden/PA Wire) The duchess put aside royal formalities in 1993, hugging Jana Novotna after she lost the ladies’ singles final to Steffi Graff.
She also backed tennis champion Martina Navratilova in her campaign to persuade the Czech authorities to allow her parents to witness her Wimbledon triumph, which was rewarded with success in 1979.
Katharine later became disenchanted with the Wimbledon authorities when, in 1999, she was refused permission to take the young son of murdered headmaster Philip Lawrence into the royal box.
Elizabeth II gave the duchess permission to drop her HRH style when she stepped away from the public spotlight.
The duchess attended events marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and was present for the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2011 wedding, and the Sussexes’ nuptials in 2018 where she wore comfortable white trainers paired with a floral Erdem maxi dress and walked arm in arm with a staff member from the royal household for support.
But she did not take part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations nor attend her funeral or the King’s coronation.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source uk.news.yahoo.com ’
