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Features

Poignant link to Queen Elizabeth II included in funeral of the Duchess of Kent

By
16th September 2025
King Charles stands on the steps of Westminster Cathedral with the Prince and Princess of Wales after the funeral of the Duchess of Kent

A poignant link to Queen Elizabeth II formed a moving part of the funeral service for The Duchess of Kent.

As the Requiem Mass came to an end at Westminster Cathedral, a lone piper walked from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, past the coffin in the Nave and along the Centre Aisle of the church playing ”Sleep, Dearie, Sleep’. The same lament was played at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.

The piper for the Duchess of Kent was taken from the Royal Dragoon Guards of which she was Deputy Colonel-in-Chief.

King Charles was joined by the Royal Family in mourning for the Duchess who died on September 4 at the age of 92.

Her husband of 64 years, the Duke of Kent, led mourners at the service with the couple’s three surviving children at his side. George, The Earl of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor accompanied their father for the final farewell on the Cathedral steps as the coffin of the Duchess of Kent was carried by a Bearer Party from the Royal Dragoon Guards to the Royal Hearse.

It was then driven to Frogmore where a private burial service took place.

The coffin was draped in the Royal Standard. The flowers on top were chosen by the Duchess’ family and included white roses as a nod to her home county of Yorkshire.

The service included Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart which was a favourite of the Duchess who loved music and who worked as a teacher after her decision to step back as a senior member of the Royal Family in the 1990s.

During the service, a letter of condolence from Pope Leo XIV was read out. The Duchess was a devout Catholic and had converted to the faith in 1994.

The Pope said ” I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for The Duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people in society.”

The letter was addressed to King Charles, sent by one Head of State to another.

King Charles later stood on the steps of the Cathedral, with the Prince and Princess of Wales, to watch the final departure of the Royal Hearse and say farewell to the Duchess of Kent.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra.Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024.June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station.June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.