Tributes paid to ‘good Yorkshire lady’

Tributes have been paid from across Yorkshire to the Duchess of Kent, following her death aged 92.

Born in 1933 at Hovingham Hall, near York, the duchess maintained a strong connection to the region throughout her life, choosing to work and marry in the area.

Johanna Ropner, the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, described her as a “down to earth, good Yorkshire lady” who showed “great empathy”.

Others who knew her spoke of her “passion” to help others adding that she was “held in high esteem by all who met her” and would be “missed dreadfully”.

Born Katharine Worsley, the duchess was the oldest member of the Royal Family, married to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The duchess – a skilled pianist, organist and singer – secretly began teaching at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull in 1996.

After visiting the school she offered to help with music teaching and gave a weekly 40-minute lesson, as well as working with its choir, spending 13 years at the school.

Ms Ropner said the duchess’ desire to work at Wansbeck “under the radar” and without any publicity “showed what a special lady she was”.

Headteacher Sam Bullen said the school was “deeply saddened” by the news of her death.

“Miss Kent, as she was known to our school community, was an inspiration to the children when she taught music here over many years,” she said.

In 2004, the duchess said she had chosen Wansbeck because of her connections to Yorkshire, adding: “It’s close to home, and home is where the heart is.”

The same year, she cofounded Future Talent, a charity to support children from low-income backgrounds develop their musical abilities.

Co-founder, Nicholas Robinson OBE, said he was “struck” by her desire to support musically gifted children and “remove any barriers to their progress”.

“She believed passionately in helping others to excel – especially those who are disadvantaged,” he said.

“Her legacy will last for many years through the lives of all the present and future generations of young musicians who we will continue to support.”

He said those at the charity would “miss her dreadfully”, and sent their “heartfelt condolences to HRH The Duke of Kent and to all of Katharine’s family.”

The duchess’ wedding to Prince Edward was held at York Minster, rather than Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral, in 1961.

It was the first royal wedding to be held at the cathedral since 1328.

Ms Ropner said the duchess had “captured the Duke of Kent’s heart from a very young age”.

“He always says, without fail, that [York Minster] holds very many special memories of that day,” she added.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said he hoped her family would find consolation and comfort in their Christian faith.

In 1994, she became the first royal to be received into the Roman Catholic Church in nearly 300 years.

“Her own deep and profound faith led her from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism,” Mr Cottrell said, “a moment the then Archbishop of Canterbury described as a ‘personal decision of a devout Christian on a spiritual journey’.”

“She was held in high esteem by all who met her and knew her,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement the University of Leeds paid tribute to the duchess, who served as Chancellor from 1966 to 1999, describing her as an “active supporter”.

Vice-Chancellor and President Prof Shearer West said: “As the University’s fifth and longest-serving Chancellor, Her Royal Highness had a close connection with the University.

“The Worsley Building on the University campus, home to the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Healthcare, is named for her and will provide a lasting testament to her long association with the University of Leeds.”