The Duchess of Kent’s funeral will take place at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September, and the Catholic service will make royal history. It will be the first Catholic funeral staged for a member of the royal family in modern times. Katharine Worsley, who died aged 92 on 4 September, became the first royal to convert to Catholicism for more than 300 years, doing so in 1994, and it was her wish to have her funeral at Westminster Cathedral.
Charles II was the last royal to convert to Catholicism upon his deathbed in 1685, according to the Catholic Herald. However, he had an Anglican funeral, which was a subdued affair, due to his conversion. In another significant move, the King, head of the Church of England, will attend, alongside the Queen and other members of the family. Up until 2015, members of the royal family were not allowed to marry Roman Catholics. The Succession to the Crown Act (2013) ended the provisions by which those who marry Roman Catholics are disqualified from the line of succession.
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How a new Act changed a royal rule
The Duchess of Kent’s brother-in-law, Prince Michael of Kent, forfeited his place in the line of succession through his marriage to Marie-Christine von Reibnitz (now Princess Michael of Kent), who was born a Roman Catholic. This was down to the Act of Settlement 1701, which was designed to secure the Protestant succession to the throne.
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s wedding in Vienna, 1978
However, with the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 coming into force in March 2015, Prince Michael was reinstated to the line of succession, and he is currently 53rd. However, the Act removed the ban on individuals who marry Roman Catholics, though not on Roman Catholics themselves, because the monarch is Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The Duchess of Kent’s son, Lord Nicholas Windsor, converted to Catholicism in 2001, therefore forfeiting his right to be included in the line of succession. Two of Katharine’s grandchildren, Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick and Lady Marina Windsor, were also excluded from the line of succession after converting to the faith.
Funeral details
Buckingham Palace said the Duchess’ coffin will be taken by hearse to Westminster Cathedral on Monday – the day before the funeral – where it will rest overnight in the Lady Chapel. After the private service, the coffin will be taken by hearse to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster will lead the Requiem Mass at the service. In addition to the Cathedral Clergy, the Dean of Windsor will participate in the Mass before accompanying the coffin to Frogmore.
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The King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were among the royal relatives and high-profile figures to pay tribute to the Duchess of Kent following her death at the age of 92. Her passing on 4 September was announced by Buckingham Palace on Friday.
Charles and Camilla paid tribute in the statement released by the palace, which read, in part: “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.”
In a message on Kensington Palace’s official social media accounts, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote: “Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas. The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family.”
WATCH: The Duchess of Kent has passed away aged 92
High-profile figures and charities react
Through her work as a teacher and her love of music, Katharine made a number of acquaintances and friends within the industry. She even once revealed her admiration for gangsta rap, citing Eminem and Ice Cube. In 2004, she co-founded Future Talent, a charity that helps young children with low-income backgrounds pursue a career in music.
The Duchess singing with the Bach Choir at Kings Lynn Music festival in 1983
The organisation said of the royal: “Everyone at Future Talent is deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Katharine – our Co-Founder and the visionary behind our charity. Nicholas Robinson OBE, Co-Founder of Future Talent said: ‘We send our heartfelt condolences to Katharine’s family. She was an inspiration who was loved by so many people over the years and will be greatly missed. We have lost a very special person.’”
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell paid tribute to the Duchess of Kent as “an advocate for children and young people’s welfare”, and someone who had “taught and encouraged generations of young musicians”.
He said: “Today, we mourn the death of Katharine, HRH The Duchess of Kent, who was born here in Yorkshire and whose royal wedding was held at York Minster in the city whose freedom she held. Katharine was an advocate for children and young people’s welfare throughout her life. She taught and encouraged generations of young musicians. Millions will remember her comfort and kindness exemplified in her embrace of Jana Novotna in the final at Wimbledon, whose patron she was for many years.
Czech tennis player Jana Novotna is consoled by the Duchess after losing the women’s singles final at the 1993 Wimbledon Championships
“In 1994 her own deep and profound faith led her from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism, 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. I pray for the repose of her soul and that HRH The Duke of Kent, their children and all the royal family may know the consolation and comfort that comes from our common Christian faith. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”
The leader of Catholics in England and Wales recalled the Duchess of Kent’s “lifetime of public service”. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: I have received with sadness the news today of the death of Her Royal Highness, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent. I recall with fondness her presence in our community, especially her participation in the pilgrimage to Lourdes, as well as her lifetime of public service. I have written to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent and assured him of the prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales. We pray that God will receive her soul into heaven, the promise given to us by Our Lord, Jesus Christ. May Katharine now rest in peace and rise in glory.”
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issues a moving statement, saying the Duchess of Kent brought “compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did”. Extending his “sincere condolences to His Majesty The King and the royal family,” the UK PM touched upon some of the most memorable moments of her life.
“Many will remember that moment at the Wimbledon Ladies Final, when she touchingly comforted the runner-up, Jana Novotna. Later, when it was discovered she had been giving her time and working anonymously as a music teacher at a school in Hull, it seemed typical of her unassuming nature. In so many ways, the duchess sought to help. My thoughts are with her husband, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, her family and all those whose lives she touched.”
The Duchess of Kent has been remembered by public figures including the Archbishop of York and the Prime Minister
Funeral arrangements
The Duchess will be expected to have a Catholic funeral, attended by senior royals including the King and Queen. It will be the first Catholic funeral service held for a member of the royal family in modern British history.
The royals are now observing a period of mourning, where the the royals and staff will wear clothing which pays appropriate tribute during this period. Those in Livery, the Royal Mews and Troops on Public Duties will wear black armbands. Some engagements may take place during this period, but households are currently considering the format and tone of each one.
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