The Duchess of Kent was poignantly carried out of Kensington Palace for the final time tonight ahead of her funeral tomorrow.
In a sign of the respect and admiration she had earned from the Royal Family over many decades of service, her coffin was transported in the Royal Hearse, designed by Queen Elizabeth II.
It was movingly proceeded on departure from the royal residence that had been her home, by a lone Piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards, of which she had been Deputy Colonel-in-Chief since its inception in 1992.
Katharine – or Mrs Kent as she preferred to be called in her no-nonsense, down-to-earth Yorkshire way – died on September 4 at the age of 92 after a period of ill-health.
She was the oldest living member of the Royal Family at the time.
The wife of the Duke of Kent, cousin of Queen Elizabeth and grandson of King George V was universally admired for her beauty and elegance.
However she was equally renowned for her compassion and dignity, seeking permission from the late Queen to convert to Catholicism and give up full-time royal duties following a series of personal tragedies to work as a music teacher in a Hull primary school.
She also founded a charity, Future Talent, to support some of the country’s brightest but under-supported musical prodigies.
Her coffin has rested in the private chapel at Kensington Palace since her passing to allow members of the family to pay their respects privately.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent is seen being taken from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral
Her coffin was draped in the Royal Standard and transported in the Royal Hearse, which was designed by Queen Elizabeth II
The coffin left Kensington Palace at 4.45pm to make the 15-minute journey to Westminster Cathedral, flanked by a police escort
The Duchess of Kent died on September 4 at the age of 92 (pictured ahead of a State Banquet in 1991)
With her unmistakable silvery blonde bob, the Duchess of Kent was, long before Princess Diana, was the royals’ queen of compassion (Pictured in April 2011)
Her funeral will take place at Westminster Cathedral – the first Royal Catholic service of its kind in modern history
Today is the start of her final journey, when it leaves the west London palace for the short journey to Westminster Cathedral for what will the first Royal Catholic funeral in modern history.
Although names will not be confirmed until the day, a full turn-out of the Royal Family is expected.
The coffin exited the palace at 4.45pm to begin the 15-minute journey to Westminster Cathedral, the heart of the Catholic faith in London.
The distinctive claret-coloured Royal Hearse – also known as the State Hearse – was last seen in use in 2022 when Queen Elizabeth died.
It was built by Jaguar Land Rover in consultation with the Royal Household and the Queen herself.
It features expansive rear windows and a glass roof – apparently personally requested by Her Late Majesty – which offers a full view of any coffin contained inside.
The coffin is being taken to Westminster Cathedral for a private Vigil for the Deceased and Rite of Reception, as well as Vespers for the Dead – an evening prayer service – attended by Her Royal Highness’ immediate family.
The Bearer Party receiving the coffin at the place of worship will also be formed by Duchess’ beloved The Royal Dragoon Guards.
The coffin will rest overnight in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, before Requiem Mass, a Catholic funeral service, tomorrow afternoon.
The King and Queen, as well as members of the Royal Family, will join The Duke of Kent and members of the Duchess’s family at the service.
Meanwhile Prince and Princess Michael of Kent arrived at Westminster Abbey in a mini bus with other family members. The Prince, 83. is the Duke of Kent’s brother.
The Duke of Kent’s sister, Princess Alexandra, 88, also arrived by taxi and in a wheelchair.
The Duke of Kent is now the oldest living member of the Royal Family following the death of his wife.
