Westminster Cathedral receives Coffin of Duchess of Kent ahead of Historic Funeral
the coffin of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has been received at Westminster cathedral in planning for her funeral service on Tuesday. Soldiers from the Royal Dragoon Guard, of which she served as deputy colonel-in-chief, carried the coffin, draped in the royal standard, from the royal hearse into the cathedral.
The hearse transported the coffin from Kensington Palace,where the duchess died earlier this month at age 92,accompanied by a piper. present were her family, including the Duke of Kent and their three children, for a service marking the coffin’s reception – a customary element of Roman Catholic funerals.
Tuesday’s Requiem Mass will be attended by The King and queen and other senior members of the Royal Family, marking the first Catholic funeral for a royal in modern British history. The Duchess selected Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus as a favorite piece for the service, originally sharing this preference during a 1990 appearance on BBC’s Desert Island Discs. A piper will also play the lament Sleep, dearie, Sleep, previously performed at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The wreath adorning the coffin features white roses - the emblem of Yorkshire, reflecting the family’s connection to the region – alongside sprigs of yew from Hovingham Hall, the family home, and rosemary for remembrance.
The Duchess, married to a first cousin of the late Queen, was the oldest member of the Royal Family at the time of her death. Tributes have been paid by figures including The Prince and Princess of Wales, who acknowledged her “tireless” work and dedication to numerous causes, notably through music.
Beyond her royal duties, the Duchess was known for her work as a primary school music teacher, using the name Mrs.Kent,and as a regular presence at the Wimbledon championships,where she presented trophies and offered comfort to competitors.
The coffin will remain in the cathedral’s Lady Chapel overnight. Following Tuesday’s private family service, the Duchess will be interred at the royal burial ground in Frogmore, Windsor. The royal hearse used for the procession was last employed at the late Queen’s funeral three years ago this week.
