The Duke of Kent had family by his side as he appeared in public for the first time since the death of his wife, the Duchess of Kent. The 89-year-old Duke, who is Queen Elizabeth's first cousin, was out on Monday, Sept. 15, as the Duchess' coffin was taken to Westminster Cathedral.
The Duke of Kent was pictured arriving with his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, and bowing his head as his wife's coffin was carried inside. The Duke and Duchess' son George Windsor was seen standing to the right of his sister Helen.
The Duchess of Kent's granddaughter Lady Amelia Windsor, as well as the Duke of Kent's brother Prince Michael of Kent and Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor were among the family members at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 15
The Duke of Kent has three children, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor, with his late wife, whom he married in 1961. Buckingham Palace announced the Duchess of Kent's death on Sept. 5. She was 92.
"It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family," the palace said in a statement. "The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people."
In a personal message shared on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote that the Duchess of Kent "will be a much missed member of the family."
Prior to being moved to Westminster Cathedral, the Duchess' coffin rested in the private chapel at Kensington Palace. Her Royal Highness' coffin was taken by hearse to Westminster Cathedral, where the Rite of Reception and Vespers took place on Monday, the eve of the Requiem Mass.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to attend the Duchess' funeral on Sept. 16, which will mark the first royal Catholic funeral in modern history. The Duchess of Kent converted to Catholicism back in 1994. As a Roman Catholic, it was Her Royal Highness' wish to have her funeral at Westminster Cathedral. Following the mass, the Duchess' coffin will be taken by hearse to the royal burial ground at Frogmore, Windsor.