The Catholic cathedral that will host its first royal funeral

The Duchess of Kent’s funeral will be held on 16 September. Although many royal funerals have taken place at Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, this funeral will take place at Westminster Cathedral. 

The Duchess of Kent converted to Catholicism in 1994, the first member of the Royal Family to publicly convert in over 300 years. As a Catholic, it is fitting that her funeral will be held in the largest Catholic cathedral in England and Wales. 

Officially named the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, Westminster Cathedral sits on Francis Street in Westminster and was built from 1895 to 1903. Architect John Francis Bentley designed the imposing cathedral in the Neo-Byzantine style. 

The church falls under the Archdiocese of Westminster; Cardinal Vincent Nichols is the current Archbishop of Westminster. 

Before converting to Catholicism, the Duchess of Kent specifically sought out Queen Elizabeth II’s permission to do so. 

Due to the Act of Settlement 1701, a Catholic could not be in the line of succession and marriage to a Catholic meant automatic exclusion. However, because the Duchess converted to Catholicism after marrying the Duke of Kent, the Duke’s position in the line of succession was not affected. 

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 saw major changes to the barring of Catholics – an individual would no longer be removed from the line of succession if they have married a Catholic. 

The funeral of the Duchess of Kent will be attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, another historic moment as the monarch and consort attend a Catholic funeral for a member of their family.