Senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles III and the Prince and Princess of Wales, have gathered for the funeral of the Duchess of Kent today – but one arrival drew surprised gasps from onlookers.
Prince Andrew attended, despite generally taking a back seat from public life after recent controversies. William and Kate are also taking part with King Charles, though one prominent royal missing is the Queen, forced to miss the event through illness.
The wife of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin is being laid to rest in a ceremony this afternoon. The Duchess’ Catholic funeral – a requiem mass at Westminster Cathedral – is the first to be held for a member of the monarchy in modern British history.
Anders Anglesey
Prince Andrew at funeral
Prince Andrew and his former wife were joined by Princess Anne, Sir Tim and the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The King and Prince and Princess of Wales also sat in the front row at either side of the aisle.
Prince Andrew arrived for the funeral
Andrew and Fergie get front row seats
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have been assigned front row seats for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, with the two seen positioned in the foremost row, almost in the corner, of the right column of seats.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have been spotted sitting at the front of the congregation (
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PA)
Liam Doyle
Mourners seen inside the church
Pictures from inside the church show the dozens of mourners who have come to pay their respects to the late Duchess this afternoon.
Inside Westminster Cathedral for the funeral of the Duchess of Kent (
Image:
PA)
Liam Doyle
Requiem mass is underway
With the Pope’s message now delivered, the Requiem Mass is now underway.
According to the order of service, the mass is meant to begin with an opening hymn, which in this case is Laudate Dominum, otherwise known as “O Praise Ye the Lord!”.
Charlotte Foster
Duchess of Kent’s family rally around her husband as they say final goodbye
The grieving family of the late Duchess of Kent, along with her heartbroken widow the Duke of Kent, have gathered at Westminster Cathedral to say their final farewells.
The Duke of Kent arrives for the Requiem Mass service for the Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral (
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PA)
Duchess of Kent’s family rally around her husband as they say final goodbye
Liam Doyle
Kate seen wearing choker-type necklace that belonged to late Queen
The Princess of Wales was wearing a four strand pearl and diamond choker necklace which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate wore the piece to the late Queen’s state funeral in 2022.
Kate Middleton was spotted wearing a necklace that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II (
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Personal message read out by Pope as service in full swing
The funeral service is now in full swing, and mourners have just heard a personal message from the Pope.
He has praised the duchess’s “legacy of Christian goodness” and her “devoted care for vulnerable people in society”. The Pope’s words, which were read by Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, said: “I was saddened to learn of the d3ath of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent and I send heartfelt condolences, together with the assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the members of the royal family, and especially to her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow.
“Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly Father, I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for the duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities and devoted care for vulnerable people in society.
“To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the resurrection, I willingly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.”
Liam Doyle
Watch: Moment royals arrive for funeral service
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Duchess of Kent: Royals arrive at Westminster Cathedral for the funeral
Liam Doyle
What Kate and William are wearing to the funeral
William had a white handkerchief tucked in his top pocket, while Kate wore a black hat with a large bow at the back and netting detail at the front, and pearl earrings, with her hair down at the back.
Lady Helen Windsor, wearing an asymmetric hat with tulle detail, joined her father, the Duke of Kent, followed behind by her brothers the Earl of St Andrews and Lord Nicholas Windsor, and close family members.
KEY EVENT
King Charles arrives
King Charles has arrived for the funeral, and is filtering inside alongside other mourners while being led by the Duke of Kent.
King Charles III has arrived for the funeral
Liam Doyle
Duchess of Edinburgh attends funeral – alone
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has turned up to the Duchess of Kent’s funeral alone. Her husband Prince Edward is currently busy in Papua New Guinea.
The Duchess of Sussex has arrived at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral alone (
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PA)
Liam Doyle
Duke of Kent and Duchess’ immediate family arrive for service
The Duchess of Kent’s immediate family – including her husband, Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin the Duke of Kent – have now arrived ahead of the service, which is due to begin in less than 10 minutes.
The Duke of Kent arrives for his wife’s funeral
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William and Kate arrive
William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have also arrived at the funeral.
William and Kate have arrived for the funeral
Liam Doyle
Princess Anne is the next to arrive
Senior royal Princess Anne has now arrived with her husband.
Princess Anne arrives for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral
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People gasp as Prince Andrew and Fergie arrive at funeral
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have unexpectedly arrived at the funeral, with members of the public heard gasping as the two walked quickly inside the cathedral.
Prince Andrew and Fergie have arrived at the funeral
Liam Doyle
Earl of Snowdon seen arriving for funeral
The Earl of Snowdon has also arrived for the funeral.
The Earl of Snowdon arrives for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral (
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PA)
Liam Doyle
Watch: Guests arrive for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral
Guests have been seen arriving thick and fast for the funeral this afternoon – they are filtering into Westminster Cathedral.
Several major royals arrive at funeral
Several major royals have arrived at the funeral in quick succession. Among the group can be seen Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Lady Gabriella Windsor has also been spotted amongst the fray, as has Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor.
Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman arrives at Westminster Cathedral (
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Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Liam Doyle
Susan Hussey, Lady of King’s household, arrives
Susan Hussey, a Lady in the household of King Charles III, has now arrived at the funeral.
Susan Hussey arrives for the funeral of the Duchess of Kent (
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PA)
Liam Doyle
Jeffrey Archer arrives
Jeffrey Archer has also arrived at the funeral.
The novelist and former MP has been spotted wearing a three-piece suit while linking arms with his wife, Mary.
Jeffrey Archer arrives at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral (
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Getty Images)
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Famous friends arrive ahead of service
Former Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and actresses Rula Lenska and Dame Maureen Lipman have arrived at Westminster Cathedral for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral service.
Rula Lenska and Maureen Lipman attend the service (
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Getty Images)
Kelly-Ann Kiernan
Catholic service – a first for monarchy
The Duchess of Kent’s Catholic funeral – a requiem mass – is the first to be held for a member of the monarchy in modern British history and will take place at Westminster Cathedral this afternoon.
It will also be the first royal funeral at Westminster Cathedral, in central London, since its construction in 1903.
Some traditions will be constant however, the service will feature a Scottish bagpipe lament that was also performed at the late Queen’s funeral almost three years ago.
Vikki White
10 key symptoms as Camilla pulls out of royal funeral
Queen Camilla’s plan to attend the the Duchess of Kent’s funeral this afternoon has been scuppered by her recovery from acute sinusitis.
Buckingham Palace announced the royal would not attend the service at Westminster Cathedral due to the condition, which is most likely caused by a viral, upper respiratory infection.
Read more about her condition here: 10 key sinusitis symptoms as Queen Camilla pulls out of royal funeral
Liam Doyle
Why the Duchess’ coffin is already at Westminster Cathedral
While the funeral is due to begin in a couple of hours, the Duchess’ coffin is already waiting at the venue.
Catholic tradition usually dictates that funerals last two days, with the body of the deceased taken for rites before the main servce. The Duchess arrived on Monday for the “Rite of Reception and Vespers”, with her husband, the Duke of Kent, watching solemnly as it entered the grand building.
Buckingham Palace explains: “Her Royal Highness’s coffin will be taken by hearse to Westminster Cathedral on Monday, 15th September, where the Rite of Reception and Vespers will take place, on the eve of the Requiem Mass. Thereafter it will rest overnight in the Lady Chapel.”
The Duke of Kent watches as the Duchess’s coffin is carried into the Cathedral (
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Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Liam Doyle
What time will the funeral begin? How to watch live
The Duchess of Kent’s funeral will take place at Westminster Cathedral later this afternoon, with the service due to begin at 2pm.
Live streams are televising the outside of the venue, and people can watch the Mirror’s via the link below, or by scrolling to the top of the live blog.
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LIVE: Funeral of the Duchess of Kent
Liam Doyle
Queen to rest after travelling from Scotland – with Duke of Kent informed
The Duke of Kent has been informed of the Queen’s decision not to attend, and is said to fully understand.
He has sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery. The Queen travelled down from Scotland this morning and is currently en route to Windsor to rest. Camilla, 78, had been due join to the King and other members of the royal family at the farewell to the duchess at Westminster Cathedral in London on Tuesday afternoon.
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Queen pulls out of Duchess of Kent funeral
The Queen has pulled out of attending the funeral of the Duchess of Kent while she recovers from acute sinusitis, Buckingham Palace has announced.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.
“Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family.”
Queen Camilla pulls out of Duchess of Kent’s funeral as Palace issues statement
The Queen will not attend the Duchess’ funeral today (
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Getty Images)
Emma Mackenzie
Duchess of Kent’s hidden double life after quitting duties and major heartbreak
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, d!ed aged 92 on September 4. In many ways, she was one of the most trailblazing members of the House of Windsor, determined to forge her own path, even living a secretive double life after stepping back from royal duties after decades of officially representing the crown.
She spent decades supporting the crown, and conducting official engagements as a working member of the monarchy, despite some major heartbreak she suffered behind closed doors.
Duchess of Kent’s hidden double life after quitting duties and major heartbreak
The Duchess of Kent led a secret double life after undergoing personal tragedy (
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WireImage)
Liam Doyle
The vital role Princess Kate took on from the late Duchess
The Duchess of Kent was once the royal face of Wimbledon, having accepted an honorary membership of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1962.
Over the decades before her d3ath, she cemented herself as a key figure in the club, and famously presented the Ladies’ Singles Trophy from 1976 to 2001. The late Duchess’ most famous appearance was during the 1993 final, when she was seen comforting runner-up women’s plauer Jana Novotna following a tearful defeat.
The role of presenting trophies is now undertaken by Princess Kate, who presents trophies to victorious tennis players.
The Duchess was once the royal face of Wimbledon (
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Getty Images)
Liam Doyle
Royal Family invites members of the public to give condolences
In a separate social media post on X, formerly Twitter, the Royal Family has invited members of the public to give their condolences ahead of the funeral today.
Liam Doyle
Kensington Palace’s touching tribute to Duchess as Kate and William set to attend funeral
Kensington Palace issued a touching statement from William and Kate following the Duchess’ d3ath earlier this month, remembering her “tireless” work to help others and support causes.
The Prince and Princess said: “Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas. The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family. W & C.”
Liam Doyle
Royal Family posts on social media ahead of funeral
The Royal Family has posted about the upcoming service to its official Instagram page, including a brief biography commemorating the late Duchess.
Funeral service to include message from new Pope
With the Duchess of Kent a devoted Catholic, her funeral service will include a message from head of the Catholic Church Pope Leo XIV.
The requiem mass, a Catholic funeral, is the first to be held for a member of the monarchy in modern British history. It will also be the first royal funeral at Westminster Cathedral, in Victoria, central London, since its construction in 1903.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Archbishop of Westminster set to preside over funeral
Presiding over the Duchess of Kent’s Requiem Mass today will be Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
The Dean of Windsor will join the Cathedral clergy during the Mass, before presiding, with the Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, over the burial of The Duchess in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor later today.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols will preside over the Duchess’ funeral (Image: PA Wire)
King to attend Catholic service
King Charles III is also set to attend today’s funeral, a Catholic service.
As the Supreme Governor of the Protestant Church of England, British monarchs do not typically attend Catholic events, and King Charles’ appearance follows more than 30 years after the last one. Queen Elizabeth II attended the Catholic state funeral of King Baudouin of the Belgians, at St Michael’s Cathedral in Brussels, in August 1993.
