Katharine, Duchess of Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Katharine |
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Katharine (holding a koala) in 1988
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| Born | Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley 22 February 1933 Hovingham Hall, North Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 4 September 2025 (aged 92) Kensington Palace, London, England |
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| Father | Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet |
| Mother | Joyce Brunner |
| Religion | Roman Catholic prev. Anglican |
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Katharine, Duchess of Kent (born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley; 22 February 1933 – 4 September 2025) was an important member of the British royal family. She was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. Prince Edward is a grandson of King George V.
The Duchess of Kent became a Catholic in 1994. She was the first royal family member to do so publicly since 1701. Katharine loved music and sang in several choirs.
After Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 September 2022, Katharine became the oldest living member of the British royal family. She held this title until her own death on 4 September 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley was born on 22 February 1933. Her birthplace was Hovingham Hall in Yorkshire, England. She was the fourth child and only daughter of Sir William Worsley and Joyce Morgan Brunner. Her family had a long history, and she was even a descendant of Oliver Cromwell.
Katharine did not attend school until she was 10 years old. She later studied at Queen Margaret's School, York and Runton Hill School. At school, she discovered her love for music. She learned to play the piano, organ, and violin.
In her last year at Runton Hill, Katharine became the music secretary. She helped organize music shows in Norwich. She did well in French and English literature.
After school, Katharine worked in a children's home and a nursery school. She wanted to study music further. She attended Miss Hubler's Finishing School in Oxford. There, she focused on music, French literature, painting, and history.
Marriage and Family Life
Katharine met Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, while he was serving in the military. Prince Edward is the eldest son of Prince George, Duke of Kent. They married on 8 June 1961 at York Minster. This was a very special event, as it was the first royal wedding there in over 600 years.
Many important guests attended, including members of royal families from different countries. Princess Anne was one of the bridesmaids. Katharine wore a beautiful white silk dress designed by John Cavanagh.
Katharine and Prince Edward had three children:
- George, Earl of St Andrews, born in 1962.
- Lady Helen Taylor, born in 1964.
- Lord Nicholas Windsor, born in 1970.
They also sadly lost a son, Patrick, in 1977.
The Duchess lived in places like Hong Kong and Germany when her husband was in the military. They often represented the Queen at important events. These included celebrations for Ugandan independence and the coronation of the King of Tonga.
The Duke and Duchess of Kent lived at Wren House in Kensington Palace, London. They also lived at Anmer Hall for some years.
Becoming a Catholic
In 1994, the Duchess of Kent decided to become a Roman Catholic. This was a very personal choice for her. Queen Elizabeth II approved of her decision.
The Duchess explained that she liked the clear guidance the Catholic Church offered. She felt it helped her know what was expected in her life.
An old law, the Act of Settlement 1701, said that if a royal married a Catholic, they would lose their place in line to the throne. However, this rule did not apply to someone who became Catholic after marriage. So, the Duke of Kent kept his place in the line of succession to the British throne.
Since then, some of her children and grandchildren have also become Catholic.
Later Life and Public Role
The Duchess faced some health challenges during her life.
In 2002, Katharine decided to step back from some of her royal duties. She also chose not to use her full royal title as often. She became known more simply as Katharine Kent.
Even though she reduced her public appearances, she still attended important family events. These included the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. She also attended Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was another event she attended.
Katharine had a deep passion for music. In 1989, she was a guest on a radio show called Desert Island Discs. She chose a piece by Mozart as her favorite song.
She even worked as a music teacher at a primary school in Kingston upon Hull. She also gave piano lessons near her home at Kensington Palace. The Duchess was the president of the Royal Northern College of Music. She also directed the National Foundation for Youth Music.
Katharine loved teaching children. She said it was one of the most exciting jobs. She also shared her enjoyment of different kinds of music, including rap. She supported charities like Making Music and Future Talent. Future Talent helps young people from low-income families pursue music. She was also a supporter of UNICEF.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, passed away at Kensington Palace on 4 September 2025. She was 92 years old.
Titles and Honours
After her marriage, Katharine was known as "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent." She received several special honours during her life.
- In 1961, she received the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II.
- In 1977, she became a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).
She was also given the Freedom of the City of York in 1989. Katharine held several honorary military roles. She was also the Chancellor of the University of Leeds from 1966 to 1999.
Children
Katharine and Prince Edward had three children:
| Name | Born | Married | Children |
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| George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews | 26 June 1962 | 9 January 1988 to Sylvana Tomaselli | Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, Lady Marina Windsor, Lady Amelia Windsor |
| Lady Helen Taylor | 28 April 1964 | 18 July 1992 to Timothy Taylor | Columbus Taylor, Cassius Taylor, Eloise Taylor, Estella Taylor |
| Lord Nicholas Windsor | 25 July 1970 | 4 November 2006 to Paola Doimi de Lupis de Frankopan | Albert Windsor, Leopold Windsor, Louis Windsor |
They also had a son, Patrick, who was born on 5 October 1977 but sadly did not survive.
Images for kids
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Coat of arms of the Duchess of Kent
See also
In Spanish: Catalina de Kent para niños
- List of people diagnosed with coeliac disease
