Beloved Royal Duchess Has Died, Buckingham Palace Announces

Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, was a beloved figure who was known for handing out trophies at Wimbledon and giving comfort to the players who lost the prestigious tournament. One famous moment found her consoling an emotional Czech tennis player, Jana Novotna, who had just lost to Steffi Graf.

She was married to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Duchess of Kent has died at the age of 92. She was the most senior royal to pass away since Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and was also the family’s oldest member.

She “passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read on September 5.

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“The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people,” the statement read.

“Her Royal Highness was married for 64 years to The Duke of Kent, cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II,” the Royal Family’s website says. “Proudly of Yorkshire heritage, Her Royal Highness was best known for her appearances at Wimbledon, where she presented the Ladies’ Singles Trophy for many years.”

The Duchess of Kent consoling Jana Novotna. George, Earl of St. Andrews; Lady Helen Windsor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor.

According to her bio on the Royal Family’s website, the Duchess of Kent “was born on 22 February 1933, the youngest child and only daughter of the late Sir William Worsley.”

It says that the duchess “first met Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, when he was stationed at Catterick near Richmond in 1956. Their engagement was announced in March 1961, and they were married in York Minster on 8th June that year.”

Their children are George, Earl of St. Andrews; Lady Helen Windsor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor. They also had 10 grandchildren.

According to BBC, she once taught music school without people knowing her royal background, and she sparked conversation about mental health after her hospitalization following a stillborn birth.