Katharine Worsley was born February 22, 1933 at Hovingham Hall in Yorkshire. She was the only daughter of Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet and Joyce Morgan Brunner. Katharine was also a descendant of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector during the interregnum, through his youngest daughter Frances Cromwell.
Katharine discovered that she had a talent for music when introduced to the piano and violin at school. To further develop her skills, Katharine attended Oxford to study music. Later in life, she would continue her passion through teaching.
Katharine met Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, while he was living at Catterick Camp, a military garrison in North Yorkshire. Five years later, the two became engaged and were married on June 8th, 1961 in York Minster, the first royal marriage in that church since Edward III wed Philippa of Hainault (whose son was the “Black Prince”).
Prince Edward and Katharine produced three children: George, Earl of St. Andrews (1962), Lady Helen (1964), and Lord Nicholas Windsor (1970).
Katharine enjoyed tennis and was best known for her public presentation of the Wimbledon trophy for many years, but it was helping others in their passion for music that gave her the most joy. The Duchess of Kent was a Trustee of the National Foundation for Youth Music; President and Board Member of the Royal Northern College of Music; patron of the charity “Making Music” and a co-founder of “Future Talent”, a charity that provides assistance to children with low-income backgrounds so they can pursue a career in music.
While Katharine was a well-known and loved member of the Royal Family, she did not relish the limelight. She enjoyed her patronages and representing the Queen, but as a friend of the Duchess said: “She just wants to be an ordinary human being without any fuss. She has a love of simplicity and an abhorrence of formality, which are expressed in the practice of her faith.”
In 1994, Katharine gave up Anglicanism and was received into the Catholic church, embracing the faith that she says gave her the guidelines she felt she needed.
“I do love guidelines and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines. I like to know what's expected of me. I like being told: you shall go to church on Sunday and if you don't you're in for it!”
Two of Katharine and Edward's children, Lord Nicholas Windsor and George, the Earl of St. Andrews, converted to Catholicism and married Catholics: Nicholas married Paola de Frankopan in 2006 in Vatican City, a first for any British royal in history. George has been married to Sylvana Tomaselli since 1988.
To underscore her need for a quieter life, Katharine cut back on her royal duties and had not used the style "Her Royal Highness" since 2002. It was helpful to have fewer duties as she suffered from coeliac disease and from the Epstein–Barr virus. Occasionally she was seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace using crutches when she was particularly weary.
Despite her health struggles, Katharine was keen to continue sharing her love of music and took a position as a music teacher at a primary school, going by the name “Mrs. Kent”. She also gave piano lessons in a rented studio apartment near her official Kensington Palace residence.
Katharine’s devotion to education, faith, and quiet service will be remembered for years to come.
May the Duchess’s memory be a blessing to all.
A quietly remarkable lady. RIP.