Katharine, Duchess of Kent, the oldest living member of the British royal family, died peacefully at 92 on 4 September 2025 at Kensington Palace, as announced by Buckingham Palace. Born in 1933 in Yorkshire, she married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961. Known for her love of music, she played piano, organ, and violin, and taught in state primary schools as “Mrs Kent.” She co-founded Future Talent in 2004 to support
musically gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds. A familiar face at Wimbledon, she famously consoled Jana Novotná in 1993. Her 1994 conversion to Catholicism was historic, marking her as the first senior royal to do so since the 17th century. Stepping back from royal duties by 2002, she focused on teaching and charity. Survived by her husband, three children, and grandchildren, her death marks the end of an era of quiet service.
