Buckingham Palace announced the death of Katharine Worsley, aged 92, on Friday following her passing on 4 September 2025
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.”
Yorkshire-born Katharine Worsley, who wed Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961, is also survived by three children – George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor. The Duchess of Kent’s grandchildren include model Lady Amelia Windsor, 30, and Lady Marina Windsor, 32, who announced her engagement to Nico Macauley in June.
Lady Amelia posted a beautiful black and white shot of her grandmother in her younger years on Instagram Stories, with a single heart emoji in tribute. HELLO! understands that Prince Harry privately sent his condolences to the Duchess of Kent’s family ahead of his return to the United Kingdom next week.
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 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.
“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.”
Dame Esther, founder president of Childline, told the PA news agency of the Duchess: “Right from Childline’s earliest days, the Duchess of Kent absolutely understood why it provides unique support and protection for the most vulnerable children, and she helped us in many different ways. One particular event, I remember, because she was herself a volunteer Samaritan, she was tremendously supportive to our Childline volunteers, and we used to give special awards for those who’d made outstanding contributions, which she presented and always had an understanding word to share with our volunteers and staff.
“She was beautiful, she was elegant, and above all, she was empathetic and kind, and we are immensely grateful for everything she did for Childline and the children we supported. She was also a star. I mean, she had real glamour so when she attended one of our events, it made it special.”
Dame Esther said the Duchess had “sacrificed herself” to help other people and that her royal role was “quite a challenge” for her. “She was an amazing woman… I think that her royal role was quite a challenge for her because she was quite a shy person and she had her share of illnesses, but, I could tell, I think she sacrificed herself for the sake of others,” she said.