Funeral services are underway to honor the late wife of Prince Edward.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, died on September 4 at Kensington Palace at the age of 92. Buckingham Palace confirmed this the following day. On Monday, a private vigil, Rite of Reception and Vespers took place with many royals in attendance, including Katharine’s window, Edward. The Duchess’ second-born daughter, Lady Helen Taylor was also on hand.
Katharine and the Duke of Kent had three children together, as well as 10 grandchildren. Following the ceremonies on Monday, her coffin will rest overnight in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent’s coffin has arrived at Westminster before her royal funeral
Arrangements for the royal funeral are all set with plenty of dignitaries expected to be in attendance. Katharine’s coffin arrived at Westminster Cathedral on Monday, with her royal funeral occurring on Tuesday.
The ceremony for the late Duchess will mark the first-ever Catholic funeral service for a member of the British royal family. On Tuesday we will also witness the first royal family service at Westminster Cathedral since its construction in 1903.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other royal family members will be on hand to join the Duke of Kent in celebrating Katharine’s life. It was the Duchess’s wish to have the funeral at that cathedral, and the royal family supported those plans.
After the service, her coffin will travel by hearse to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. On Tuesday, flags will fly at half-mast at all royal residences that fly the Union Jack. She’ll join former King Edward VII and his wife, Wallis Simpson among the other royal names to be burried there.
Katharine was a strong advocate for music education and even secretly worked as a music teacher for over a decade.
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