ISLAMABAD: The Duchess of Kent and member of the royal family, Katharine, died at the age of 92, the royal family said in a statement on Friday.
"It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Kent,” according to the statement, posted on the royal family’s official Instagram handle.
“Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family,” it noted.
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“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,” Buckingham Palace concluded.
As reported by Sky News, the Union Flag at the Palace was also lowered to half-mast to respect the duchess's death.
The deceased royal family member was known for consoling Wimbledon finalists.
The Duchess of Kent married the Duke of Kent, late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, in 1961 and has become the oldest member of the family following the demise of King Charles's mother.
The Duchess, who preferred to be known simply as Katharine Kent or Kate, carved out a unique path away from the glare of royal life, finding profound meaning as a music teacher in state schools.
Married to the Duke of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen, she dedicated 13 years to teaching in a primary school in Hull, embracing a low-key existence far removed from the royal spotlight.
Beyond her teaching career, the duchess was an unassuming charity worker, demonstrating remarkable compassion and understanding. She volunteered for the Samaritans and travelled globally as a UNICEF ambassador.
