The Queen’s health problem was announced by the palace ahead of the funeral, which will take place on Tuesday afternoon.
“With great regret, Her Majesty the Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis. Her thoughts and prayers will be with the Duke of Kent and all the family,” said the statement.
The coffin of the duchess was brought to the cathedral on Monday, draped in the royal standard and with white roses among the flowers, in honour of the duchess’ Yorkshire roots.
The duchess was the oldest member of the Royal Family when she died earlier this month at the age of 92. She was married to the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
There have been many memories of her kindness and her dedication to charities.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who will preside over the funeral service, has spoken of how the duchess often volunteered at the Passage charity for the homeless, which is based next door to the cathedral.
Speaking ahead of the funeral, he remembered her as a “very down to earth person” who had helped in the kitchen and with cleaning at the charity.
“So as well as combining royal duties, she entered very wholeheartedly into serving people,” Cardinal Nichols told the BBC.
This is a historic moment in terms of being a royal Catholic funeral, but the Cardinal said it should be seen primarily as a “family funeral where the members of the family gather round”.
“One of their oldest members has died. A woman who was greatly loved within that family and also, as we’ve seen, by much of the public,” said Cardinal Nichols.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.bbc.co.uk ’
