An emotional Duke of Kent bid farewell to his wife of 64 years today as senior royals gathered for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral after her death aged 92.
The King, Prince William, Kate, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne were among those paying tribute at the Catholic service at Westminster Cathedral.
The Duke followed closely behind his late wife’s coffin after the funeral as it was slowly carried outside and watched while it was placed inside the royal hearse.
Earlier, the Duke had entered the cathedral holding a walking stick in poignant scenes, surrounded by his family including his daughter Lady Helen Taylor.
Buckingham Palace announced just two hours before the private family service began that Queen Camilla had pulled out as she recovers from acute sinusitis.
Among the other royals attending were Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence , the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Andrew with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson .
Andrew, who no longer carries out official duties for the monarchy after stepping down six years ago amid the furore over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein , exited his car first and joined Sarah as they walked in together.
Following the service, Andrew was seen talking with William and Charles on the steps of the cathedral.
The Duke of Kent’s brother, Prince Michael of Kent, appeared frail and walked slowly using a stick as he made his way into the church for the funeral. He was accompanied by his wife Princess Michael of Kent, who was also using a stick.
With them was their daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor, and they led a large contingent of royals all dressed in black in mourning, including Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Sophie Windsor, with some of the party arriving together by bus.
Lady Helen Windsor, wearing a hat with tulle detail, joined her father, the Duke of Kent, followed by her brothers the Earl of St Andrews and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
The King arrived with his top aide, principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, and smiled after arriving before the doors of the cathedral were closed behind him.
William had a white handkerchief tucked in his top pocket, while Kate wore a black hat with a large bow at the back and netting detail at the front, and pearl earrings, with her hair down at the back, as well as a necklace belonging to the late Queen.
Former Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and actresses Rula Lenska and Dame Maureen Lipman were among the other mourners in attendance.
The service was conducted by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales.
Personal elements of the ceremony included the participation of three of the Duchess’s grandchildren – Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor, Eloise Taylor and Albert Windsor – who read the Prayer of the Faithful.
The requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, is the first to be held for a member of the monarchy in modern British history and featured a Scottish bagpipe lament performed during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Windsor Castle in 2022.
A piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards played the lament – Sleep, Dearie, Sleep – while processing from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, past the Duchess’s coffin in the Nave and down the cathedral’s central aisle.
The late Queen’s funeral service in St George’s Chapel ended with a piper playing the same tune.
The choir and organist of Westminster Cathedral provided choral music, composed by Maurice Durufle.
The music included Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, selected by the Duchess as her favourite piece when she was on Desert Island Discs in 1990.
Katharine, the wife of the late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Kent, died peacefully at her Kensington Palace home, surrounded by her family, on the evening of September 4.
A devout follower of the Roman Catholic faith, the Duchess 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.
Meanwhile the announcement about Camilla’s absence today raised questions over her attendance at US President Donald Trump’s high-stakes and busy state visit, which begins in full at Windsor tomorrow and is being hosted by the King.
The Queen, is, however, hopeful that she will have recovered sufficiently to be able to attend all royal elements of the controversial American leader’s trip as planned, with highlights including a lavish state banquet.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.
‘Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family.’
The Duke of Kent has been informed, and is said to fully understand Camilla’s decision, and has sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery.
The Queen travelled down from Scotland this morning before heading to Windsor to rest.
At Westminster Cathedral today, the Duchess’s coffin is a wicker construction made from English willow and is draped with the royal standard which has a white ermine border signifying she was the spouse of a prince.
A large wreath of British garden flowers chosen by the Duchess’s family was placed on top of the coffin and included white roses, the symbol of Yorkshire, the county where she was born.
The floral tribute featured sprays of rosemary for remembrance, oak leaves for strength, seasonal September flowers symbolising farewell, achillea representing healing and strength, jasmine for amiability and sprigs of yew from the gardens of Hovingham Hall, the Duchess’s childhood home, representing eternal life.
Soldiers from The Royal Dragoon Guards have played an important role during her Catholic funeral, which traditionally runs over two days, with a piper leading the funeral cortege and other soldiers carrying the coffin into the cathedral when it arrived yesterday evening.
A personal message by the Pope was read during the service praising the duchess’s ‘legacy of Christian goodness’ and her ‘devoted care for vulnerable people in society’.
