King Charles Declares Period of Mourning Until the Funeral
Prince William and Catherine have issued a moving message following the death of the Duchess of Kent. The couple paid tribute to the late royal in a heartfelt statement released on Thursday, just hours after Buckingham Palace confirmed her passing.
In their note, the Prince and Princess of Wales expressed sympathy for the Duchess’s immediate family, including her husband and their three children. They praised her dedication to charitable causes and her passion for music.
“Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas. The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family. W & C.”
The statement came shortly after the royal family’s official website announced her death. A formal notice was also displayed on the railings of Buckingham Palace.
The Duchess converted to Catholicism in 1992 and later stepped back from royal duties in 2002, giving up her HRH title to lead a quieter life.
King Charles, currently at Balmoral, has approved a period of royal mourning until the day of the funeral. The Palace has not revealed the cause of death.
In its own tribute, the King’s office wrote:
“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.”
