Royals in mourning as Duchess dies aged 92

THE Duchess of Kent, wife of the late Queen's cousin the Duke of Kent, has died, Buckingham Palace has announced.

- LAURA ELSTON

Katharine, 92, was known for consoling losing Wimbledon finalists, notably a tearful Jana Novotna in 1993, and presented trophies at the championships for many years.

She preferred to be known as Mrs Kent and dropped her HRH style, retreating from royal life to spend more than a decade teaching music in a state primary school in Hull.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the duchess died peacefully on Thursday evening at her Kensington Palace home surrounded by her family.

The Palace said: “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 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 lifelong devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”

Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley on February 22, 1933, she had an aristocratic upbringing as the only daughter of landowner Colonel Sir William Worsley - a baronet - and Lady Worsley of Hovingham Hall, near York.

She married King George V's grandson Edward, Duke of Kent, dubbed Steady Eddie by the royal family for his dependable service, in a grand ceremony in York Minster in 1961 and became known for her elegant fashion style.