The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid a personal heartfelt tribute to the Duchess of Kent after her death was announced earlier today.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement at noon that the Duchess died peacefully on Thursday evening at her Kensington Palace home surrounded by her family.

The 92-year-old 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, retreating from royal life to spend more than a decade teaching music in a state primary school in Hull.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent leave Westminster Abbey following Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011

The Duke and Duchess of Kent at William and Kate’s wedding in 2011 (
Image: PA Archive)
And paying tribute on social media, William and Kate said: ” 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. W & C.”

The Duchess, the wife of the Duke of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen, was last seen in public in October alongside her husband in a wheelchair. Since the death of the late Queen, she had been the Royal Family’s oldest member but in recent years made very few public appearances and did not attend the former monarch’s funeral or King Charles ‘ Coronation in May 2023.

When she married Edward, the Duke of Kent, dubbed Steady Eddie, in 1961, she became a well-known face at royal events – including Wimbledon – but as she entered her older years, her life became very different, dropping her HRH style and becoming a low-key music teacher. They had three children together – George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.

Annoucing her death, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.

The Duchess of Kent at Wimbledon in 2012

The Duchess of Kent at Wimbledon in 2012 (
Image:
PA)

“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.”

The Duchess will have a Catholic funeral with the date announced in due course. It is expected to be attended by senior royals including the King and Queen. It will be the first Catholic funeral service held for a member of the royal family in modern British history.

The King, who is at Balmoral, was informed on Thursday night and other members of the royal family were also told of the news. Charles has approved that royal mourning will take place until and including the day of the duchess’s funeral.