The marriage of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and Katharine Worsley, a 20th-century fairy tale with Yorkshire roots, took place on June 8, 1961, at York Minster, marking a historic return to grand, traditional royal weddings in the north. Katharine, the daughter of Sir William Worsley and a descendant of Oliver Cromwell, wore a stunning silk gauze gown designed by John Cavanagh, securing her veil with the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara. The ceremony was attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and numerous international royals, signaling a new chapter for the couple, who set up their home at Wren House, Kensington Palace.
Their marriage spanned 64 years, marked by both public duty and a desire for privacy, during which they had three children: George, Helen, and Nicholas. Katharine became widely admired for her warmth, her passionate involvement in music, and her long-standing role presenting trophies at Wimbledon, as well as her courageous 1994 conversion to Catholicism—the first senior royal to do so in centuries. Later in life, she stepped back from royal duties to teach music in a Hull state school, known simply as “Mrs. Kent”.
The Duchess of Kent passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025, at the age of 92, at her home in Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family. Her passing prompted widespread tributes to her grace, compassion, and tireless work for charitable causes, particularly in music education, prompting the King and Queen to mourn the loss of a devoted royal. She was laid to rest following a Catholic funeral, leaving behind a legacy of music, compassion, and a 64-year marriage to the Duke of Kent, who became the oldest living member of the royal family following her death.
Video Source
