Headlines
King Charles bids farewell to Duchess of Kent in royal milestone
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 16, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Summary
King Charles attended the Duchess of Kent's Roman Catholic funeral, marking a historic moment for the British monarchy and ecumenical relations.
King Charles Attends Historic Roman Catholic Funeral of Duchess of Kent
LONDON (Reuters) -King Charles became the first British monarch in some four centuries to attend a Roman Catholic funeral on Tuesday when he joined members of his family for a requiem mass for the Duchess of Kent, the wife of a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth.
The duchess, Katharine Worsley, who joined the royal family when she married Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, in 1961, died on September 4, aged 92.
Best remembered for her close association with the Wimbledon tennis tournament, where from 1969 she helped to hand out the trophies, she was also known for converting to Roman Catholicism in 1994, becoming the first British royal to do so since King Charles II, who turned to the faith on his deathbed in 1685.
CHARLES BREAKS WITH ROYAL TRADITION
Thus it was a break in tradition for Charles, the Supreme Governor of the Protestant Church of England, to attend the funeral for the duchess at London's Westminster Cathedral, where the service was conducted by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales.
Also present were the king's son and heir Prince William and his wife Kate, although Charles' wife Queen Camilla had to pull out as she was recovering from acute sinusitis.
"The funeral will be of great historical significance," Catherine Pepinster, former editor of the Catholic weekly review, The Tablet, told the Sunday Times. "This is a huge step forward in ecumenical relations."
Following the funeral, the duchess' coffin was to be taken to a burial ground at Frogmore on the royal estate surrounding Windsor Castle, which is preparing to host U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit from Wednesday.
Charles has for many years stated that he wishes to protect all faiths, and he and his wife Camilla were among the last official visitors to see Pope Francis before his death in April.
Pope Leo XIV said he was saddened to learn of the duchess' death in a message to the king which was read out at the service.
(Reporting by Michael HoldenEditing by Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •King Charles attended a Roman Catholic funeral, a first in centuries.
- •The Duchess of Kent was known for her role at Wimbledon.
- •Charles' attendance marks a break in royal tradition.
- •The funeral was held at Westminster Cathedral.
- •The event signifies progress in ecumenical relations.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Charles bids farewell to Duchess of Kent in royal milestone
1Why is King Charles' attendance at the funeral significant?
King Charles became the first British monarch in four centuries to attend a Roman Catholic funeral, marking a significant break in royal tradition.
2Who was the Duchess of Kent?
The Duchess of Kent, Katharine Worsley, was known for her long association with the Wimbledon tennis tournament and converted to Roman Catholicism in 1994.
3What was the reaction of Pope Leo XIV to the duchess' death?
Pope Leo XIV expressed his sadness over the duchess' death in a message to King Charles, which was read at the funeral service.
4What health issue prevented Queen Camilla from attending the funeral?
Queen Camilla had to withdraw from attending the funeral due to her recovery from acute sinusitis.
5Where will the Duchess of Kent be buried?
Following the funeral, the duchess' coffin was to be taken to a burial ground at Frogmore on the royal estate surrounding Windsor Castle.
