Katharine, the Duchess of Kent’s family have accompanied her coffin as it arrived at Westminster Cathedral ahead of her funeral service on Tuesday.
The royal’s coffin travelled three miles from Kensington Palace to the cathedral about 5pm local time on Monday.
Katharine’s husband, the Duke of Kent, and her children George, Earl of St Andrews, Lord Nicholas Windsor and Lady Helen Taylor looked stoic as the coffin arrived at the cathedral.
The late Duchess’s immediate family joined in a series of private funeral rites ahead of the requiem mass on Tuesday.
Pallbearers from The Royal Dragoon Guards carried the coffin, which was draped in the royal standard and covered in a large floral arrangement.
The coffin will rest overnight in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin ahead of the service.
Outside the cathedral, Katharine’s family were comforted by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Prince Michael’s children Lady Gabriella Windsor and Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor were also there to comfort their uncle and cousins.
The Duchess of Kent was a Catholic and her funeral will be the first requiem mass for a member of the Royal Family in modern history.
The funeral will be a private family service, after which the coffin will be taken to the royal burial ground in Frogmore in Windsor.
It is understood King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as most of the entire extended royal family will be in attendance.
The Duchess of Kent died last week at age 92 after spending more than six decades as a beloved member of the royal family.
Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley on 22 February 1933 at Hovingham Hall in North Yorkshire, she was the only daughter of Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet, and Joyce Brunner.
She became a royal duchess in 1961 upon her marriage to the Duke of Kent – the cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and a grandson of King George V.
Her most famous royal duty was as the longtime patron of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, including handing out the winners trophies.
In 1993, Katharine famously showed her softer side when she comforted Jana Novotna on the court as she burst into tears after losing out to Steffi Graf in the women’s final.
As Novotna openly wept during the runner-up ceremony, the Duchess reportedly leaned in and offered reassurance, saying: “I know you will win it one day, don’t worry.”
That small moment broke all royal convention and made the Duchess of Kent as synonymous with the tournament as pimms or strawberries and cream.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
