The extended Royal Family has gathered for the Funeral of the late Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in London on September 16th, after the Coffin was transported from Kensington Palace and before it will be taken to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore in Windsor.
The King and Members of the Royal Family joined the Duke of Kent at the Requiem Mass for late Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in London before the coffin will be taken by hearse to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore in Windsor. A message from Pope Leo XIV was read out during the Service.
The coffin is made from English willow, and bears a wreath of British garden flowers, including white roses, symbolising her Yorkshire birthplace.
It also includes sprays of rosemary for remembrance, oak leaves for strength, seasonal September flowers symbolising farewell, achillea representing healing and strength, jasmine for amiability. Also present are sprigs of yew from the gardens of her family home of Hovingham Hall, representing eternal life.
Music during the ceremony will include a piper playing the Lament, ‘Sleep, Dearie, Sleep’, which was also played during Queen Elizabeth Il’s funeral in 2022.
The Choir and Organist of Westminster Cathedral will provide choral music, composed by Maurice Duruflé, including ‘Ave verum corpus’, by Mozart, which was chosen by the Duchess as her favourite piece, during her episode of Desert Island Discs in December 1990.
The Prince and Princess of Wales (wearing the Queen’s Japanese Pearl Choker)
The Princess Royal and Sir Tim
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent with the Earl and Countess of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor (wearing the Duchess Diamond Flower Brooch), and Lord Nicholas Windsor with their children
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York
Lady Marina and Lady Amelia Windsor
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma
The Baronet’s daughter who married the late Queen’s first cousin and was a working royal for over 40 years before retiring from royal duties and becoming a music teacher, the late Duchess of Kent passed away earlier this month at the age of 92.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent was joined by his children, their spouses, grandchildren and siblings as the coffin of the late Duchess of Kent was transported in the Royal Hearse from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral, where the Rite of Reception and Vespers took place, on the eve of the Requiem Mass. The coffin will rest overnight in the Lady Chapel.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Lady Helen Taylor
The Earl and Countess of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor with their children
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
Lord and Lady Frederik Windsor and James and Marina Ogilvy
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