Trailblazer: Duchess of Kent to Receive Historic Catholic Funeral in London
In a moment of solemn historical significance, the Duchess of Kent will be laid to rest following a Catholic funeral service at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday, September 16, at 2pm. Buckingham Palace confirmed the funeral details, marking the first Catholic service for a senior member of the British Royal Family in modern history.
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| File Photo Source: Will Anslem |
The service will be led by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
I am so sad for the passing of her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kent though I had the privilege of calling Katherine. What she did for me personally was an amazing thing. RIP and thank you so very much for all the good you have done. pic.twitter.com/hBPLJwmk3V
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 5, 2025
After the Requiem Mass, her remains will be taken by hearse to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor, accompanied by the Dean of Windsor. Representatives from the Duchess’s charities and military affiliations are expected to attend the ceremony.
Her role as controller commandant of the Women’s Royal Army Corps will be symbolically reflected in the proceedings.
The funeral coincides with preparations for U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK. Royal sources confirmed that the visit would proceed as scheduled, with logistical adjustments in Windsor to accommodate both events.
It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 5, 2025
Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke… pic.twitter.com/OsCeb3pQ7d
The Duchess, affectionately known in the press as “Caring Kate,” was widely admired for her empathetic approach to royal duty and her candid openness about mental and physical health issues.
In 1993, her embrace of tennis player Jana Novotna at Wimbledon became a cultural touchstone, symbolising compassion in the public eye.
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. pic.twitter.com/QoGxntirrL
— Cardinal Nichols (@CardinalNichols) September 5, 2025
In 1994, she became the first senior royal in over 300 years to convert to Catholicism. She later dedicated herself to volunteer work, including time at the Passage homelessness charity and as a music teacher in a Hull state school--eschewing royal privilege for community service. In 2004, she co-founded Future Talent, a charity supporting young musicians from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The King, head of the Church of England, will attend the Requiem Mass alongside the Queen, the Duke of Kent, and other senior members of the Royal Family.
A prayer following the death of the Duchess of Kent. pic.twitter.com/c5LIt4fCth
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) September 5, 2025
Keir Starmer led tributes, saying: “She brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did. Her work—both public and private--earned her the admiration and affection of the nation.”
The funeral at Westminster Cathedral will mark the first such royal event since the cathedral’s construction in 1903 and underscores the Duchess’s unique legacy within the modern monarchy.