An online book of condolence for Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, has opened on the monarchy’s official website for the public to sign. Katharine, who died at the age of 92 on September 4, was married to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, the Duke of Kent.
Members of the public wishing to pay their respects to the Duchess’s family can do so on the Royal Family’s official website, through the virtual condolence book. The virtual book of condolence opened on Tuesday, a week ahead of the duchess’s funeral, which will take place on September 16.
The requiem mass at London’s Westminster Cathedral on September 16 will be the first Catholic funeral service staged for a member of the Royal Family in modern British history. In a significant move, the King, head of the Church of England, will attend, alongside the Queen and wider members of the family.
Katharine became the first member of the Royal Family 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. The Duchess will then be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore in Windsor.
Katharine, who died peacefully at her Wren Cottage home at Kensington Palace, was known for consoling losing Wimbledon finalists, notably a tearful Jana Novotna in 1993, and presented trophies at the championships for many years.
She preferred to be known as Mrs Kent and dropped her HRH style, in 2002, retreating from royal life to spend more than a decade teaching music in a state primary school in Hull.
In a rare interview, she once said: “I’ve studied music all my life, it’s my passion. My other passion is children. Being able to share and pass on your love of music to children is the greatest privilege.”
Although the Duchess stepped back from royal duties, she did attend events to mark the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The Duke and Duchess of Kent were also present at Prince William and Kate’s wedding in 2011 and the Sussexes’ nuptials in 2018.
In June 2018, Katharine also went to the Grenfell Remembering Together service on the first anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Her last public appearance was on the day of her husband’s 89th birthday last October, 2024.