British royal and first to convert to Catholicism since 1685, the Duchess of Kent, passes away at the age of 92.
The Duchess of Kent, Katharine Worsley, passed away peacefully at her home in Kensington Palace at the age of 92. Born in 1933, the Duchess was the first British royal to convert to Catholicism since King Charles II, going against an early 18th century law forbidding members of the monarchy from becoming Catholic.
Throughout her life, the Duchess demonstrated a lifelong commitment to Catholic causes and received recognition from key Catholic figures, including a private audience with Pope John Paul II. While specific organizations she supported are not explicitly detailed, her dedication to Catholic causes was evident.
In addition to her religious commitments, the Duchess was also deeply connected to the world of sports, particularly Wimbledon. She was known for her close association with the prestigious tennis tournament, handing out trophies and comforting players in times of need. In 1993, she comforted Jana Novotna after the Czech tennis player burst into tears following her loss in the singles final. Five years later, the Duchess predicted Novotna's victory, and it came to pass.
However, her relationship with Wimbledon turned sour in 1999 when she was refused permission to bring a 12-year-old friend's son into the royal box.
The Duchess's passion for music was equally noteworthy. She taught music at a school in Hull, northeast England, for 13 years and later attended Wansbeck Primary School in Hull in 1996, expressing her love for the children and the area of East Hull. After her visit, she offered to help with music teaching and worked with its choir. In addition to her work with music charities, the Duchess also founded the charity Future Talent in 2004, which helps children from low-income backgrounds excel in music. Notable ambassadors of the charity include Sting.
In 2018, the Duchess attended a memorial service at the base of the Grenfell Tower high-rise building to mark the first anniversary of the fire which claimed 72 lives. She also taught part-time in a school attended by children who lived in Grenfell Tower.
The royal family has expressed their condolences and remembered the Duchess's life-long devotion to various organizations, her passion for music, and her empathy for young people. The Duchess's charity, Future Talent, will continue her legacy of supporting children in need.
On Friday, the union flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half mast at midday as a mark of respect following the Duchess's death. Her funeral, expected to be the first Catholic funeral service held for a member of the royal family in modern British history, will be attended by senior royals including King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
