Lady Helen Taylor pays meaningful sartorial tribute to her mother as she wears the Duchess of Kent’s engagement ring at her funeral and private vigil

Dressed all in black, Lady Marina Windsor and Lady Amelia Windsor arrived side by side, having driven to the church alongside their cousins Eloise and Estella. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Kent’s nephew, Lord Frederick Windsor, and niece, Lady Gabriella Kingston, were also on the guest list, alongside Frederick’s wife, Sophie Winkleman. The Duke of Kent’s siblings turned out to support their brother, with Prince Michael of Kent among those who arrived at Westminster Cathedral first. The Duke of Kent’s sister, Princess Alexandra, arrived by taxi and in a wheelchair. Her children, James and Marina Ogilvy, were seen supporting their cousins outside the church.

The Hearse was preceded on departure from Kensington Palace by a Piper from The Royal
Dragoon Guards, of which the Duchess was Deputy Colonel-in-Chief since the regiment’s
inception in 1992. The Bearer Party receiving the coffin at Westminster Cathedral was also founded by The Royal Dragoon Guards. The following day, the royal family came together to honour and remember the Duchess of Kent, with their Majesties The King and Queen and members of the royal family joining in a Requiem Mass.

Other attendees included Lady Amelia Windsor and Lady Marina Windsor, who arrived together

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Katharine Worsley, who was married to Prince Edward for 61 years, passed away on Thursday 4th September, with the King and Queen – who were informed while at Balmoral – quickly paying tribute to the Duchess upon the news of her death. They also implemented a period of royal mourning ahead of the funeral, with members of the Firm donning dark clothes and black armbands while on public duty.

The Duchess became the first royal to convert to Catholicism for more than 300 years, and was honoured with the first royal funeral at Westminster Cathedral since its construction in 1903. Family tributes poured out following the death of the Duchess, who was described by Prince William and Kate Middleton as a ‘much missed member of the family’, who ‘worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes’.