Katharine, the Duchess of Kent, has died at the age of 92, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace. The announcement was made on Friday, stating that she passed away peacefully at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family. The Royal Family expressed their sorrow, noting, "Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family."

The King and Queen, along with all members of the Royal Family, are mourning the loss alongside the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, and their children and grandchildren. The King was informed of the Duchess's passing late on Thursday evening while at Balmoral. In response, King Charles has approved a period of royal mourning until the day of the funeral, with details to be confirmed by the palace.

During this mourning period, members of the Royal Family and staff will wear appropriate clothing to pay tribute. Those in Livery, the Royal Mews, and troops on public duties will don black armbands. While the format and tone of upcoming royal engagements are under consideration, it is expected that some engagements will still take place.

Katharine Worsley, born in Yorkshire, married Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, in 1961 at York Minster. She is survived by her husband and their three children: George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor. The Duchess was also a grandmother to ten grandchildren, including model Lady Amelia Windsor.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 1996, the Duchess was rarely seen in public. She dedicated 13 years to teaching music at a primary school in East Hull, which inspired her to establish the charity Future Talent, aimed at supporting gifted young musicians from low-income backgrounds. In 2002, she chose to forgo the title "Her Royal Highness," stating, "Call me Katharine" in an interview with the BBC.

Her last public appearances included the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, Wimbledon in 2017, and a service at Westminster Abbey for the late Queen's coronation anniversary in 2013. The Duchess was last photographed on 9 October 2024, celebrating her husband's 89th birthday, where she was seen in a wheelchair at their Kensington Palace residence.