Try GOLD - Free
Duchess of Kent dies aged 92, says Buckingham Palace
The Guardian
|September 06, 2025
The Duchess of Kent, the first Catholic convert in the royal family for centuries, who was known for presenting numerous Wimbledon trophies and consoling runners-up, has died aged 92.
The duchess was married to the late queen's cousin the Duke of Kent, but for decades led a separate life from him.
She will be best remembered for a moment in 1993 when she put her arm around a distraught Jana Novotná after the Czech tennis player narrowly lost the Wimbledon women's singles final to Steffi Graf. Novotná cried on the duchess's shoulder after blowing a 4-1 lead in the third set.
During the exchange the duchess, whose husband was president of the All England Club for more than 30 years, told Novotná: "I know you can do it." Five years later the duchess presented her with the winning trophy.
In 1999 the duchess became disenchanted with the Wimbledon authorities when she was refused permission to take the young son of the murdered headteacher Philip Lawrence into the royal box.
This story is from the September 06, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
'Christmas belongs to all': C of E rejects Tommy Robinson claims
The Church of England has released a video in response to a Christmas carols event organised by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson today, amid calls from a growing number of senior church figures to challenge Christian nationalism.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
No typing! Can gen X really beat gen Z in our handwriting challenge?
Students could soon be sitting some end of year exams on laptops, it was reported this week, amid complaints from pupils of hand fatigue because their hand muscles \"are not strong enough\".
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
Doctors' strike during flu crisis 'beyond belief' - PM
Keir Starmer has said it is \"frankly beyond belief\" that resident doctors would strike during the NHS's worst moment since the pandemic, in remarks that risk inflaming tensions with medics.
4 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
'Each Leon should be magical' Co-founder returns to revive fast food chain's fortunes
John Vincent is going back to the future.
4 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
EU ‘set to water down 2035 ban on petroleum vehicle sales’
The EU’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is poised to be watered down, a senior European parliament politician has said.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
'A Badenoch bounce' Tories hail more positive mood in party as leader finds her feet
At a Conservative donors event last week, Kemi Badenoch was asked for a selfie by the former Spice Girl Geri Horner.
5 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
All change Timetable revamp faces its toughest crowd - the passengers
Billions of pounds of investment, years of engineering works - and now the moment of truth.
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
How does this flu epidemic compare?
The NHS is bracing for one of its worst winters on record as flu cases surge around the country and put pressure on GP surgeries, hospitals and ambulance services.
2 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
The Turkish cafe that's been named one of London's top restaurants
On a list of London's best restaurants, you would expect to see the usual Michelin-starred suspects such as the Ledbury, Ikoyi and the Ritz.
3 mins
December 13, 2025
The Guardian
Environment Agency to spend millions clearing waste in Oxfordshire
The Environment Agency is to spend millions of pounds on clearing an enormous illegal rubbish dump in Oxfordshire, saying the waste is at risk of catching fire.
1 mins
December 13, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size