The Prince and Princess of Wales have issued a heartfelt statement following the death of a senior member of the Royal Family.
The couple expressed their deep sorrow at the loss of someone they described as having ‘worked tirelessly to help others.’
The royal couple’s tribute comes as the nation mourns the passing of a beloved figure who had been a constant presence in British public life for more than six decades.
Buckingham Palace announced the death with ‘deep sorrow’ on Friday morning, confirming that the senior royal ‘passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.’
In response to the tragic news, flags at royal residences across the country, including Buckingham Palace, have been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect.
A period of royal mourning that will continue until the funeral.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were among the first members of the Royal Family to pay their respects, releasing a statement that highlighted the deceased’s dedication to service and charitable work.
“She will be a much missed member of the family,” the couple said, per the BBC, emphasizing how the senior royal had ‘worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through their love of music.’
The tribute from Prince William and Kate Middleton underscores the personal connection they shared with the departed royal, reflecting the close-knit nature of the Royal Family during times of grief.
Their statement also draws attention to one of the most defining characteristics of the deceased – a passionate commitment to music education and charitable causes.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute, praising how the senior royal brought ‘compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did.’
The announcement has been formally displayed on the gates of Buckingham Palace, following royal tradition.
Palace officials have indicated that troops on public duties will wear black armbands during the mourning period, and all members of the Royal Family are expected to wear dark clothing.
The timing of the death comes during what promises to be a particularly busy period for the Royal Family, with a state visit by President Trump approaching and Prince Harry due to arrive in the U.K. next week for charity events.
The funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, though it is expected to be a Catholic service in keeping with the deceased’s faith.
King Charles’s official statement, released on behalf of the entire Royal Family, spoke of how: “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 royal who has passed away was the Duchess of Kent, aged 92, who had been the oldest member of the Royal Family. Katharine, as she was known, was married to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
She will perhaps be most remembered by the public for her appearances at Wimbledon, where she regularly presented trophies and famously consoled a tearful Jana Novotna after her defeat in the 1993 final.
The Duchess of Kent’s life was marked by both public service and personal challenges, including her conversion to Catholicism in 1994 – making her the first royal to do so in over 300 years – and her later work as a primary school music teacher in Hull, where she was known simply as ‘Mrs Kent.’
