Duchess of Kent CELEBRATED

The family mourned Katharine in a service honouring her wishes

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It was almost three years, minus a few days, after farewelling Elizabeth II that senior royals gathered last week for another family funeral, this time for the Duchess of Kent.

The sombre ceremony on September 16 was of historical significance - although without the pageantry of the late Queen's farewell - because it was the first Catholic funeral for a member of the royal family in more than 300 years.

But what got most people talking was the family member who was missing from the proceedings and the one who caused onlookers to gasp in shock when he arrived.

Queen Camilla did not attend due to illness - according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson, she was suffering from acute sinusitis. Observers noticed the King, 76, looked a little lost without her by his side at times, but he seemed to take comfort from his daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales, 43, giving him a kiss on the cheek.