The Prince and Princess of Wales have led royal tributes to the Duchess of Kent, who died at home aged 92 surrounded by her family late on Thursday night. In a message on Kensington Palace’s official social media accounts, they praised her for working “tirelessly to help others” and described her as a “much missed member of the family”.
As a mark of respect, union flags were lowered to half-mast at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences where the monarch is not in residence. A formal framed notice announcing the duchess’s death was placed on the Palace railings on Friday. The King has approved a period of Royal Mourning until her funeral, expected in a week’s time.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sent his condolences, recalling the duchess as “one of our hardest-working royals” who “brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did”. He highlighted her famous comforting of tearful Wimbledon runner-up Jana Novotna in 1993 and her later work as an anonymous music teacher at a state primary school in Hull.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell paid tribute to the duchess, who was proud of her Yorkshire heritage, as “an advocate for children and young people’s welfare”. Dame Esther Rantzen praised her support for Childline, describing her as “beautiful, elegant, and above all, empathetic and kind”, and suggesting she “sacrificed herself” for others.
The Palace announced her death “with deep sadness” in an official statement, praising her “life-long devotion” to charities and her empathy for young people. The King, staying at Balmoral, was informed late on Thursday. Royal households will adjust engagements during the mourning period, with staff wearing black ties or armbands as appropriate.
