Royal Standard raised above Catholic church as King Charles attends funeral of Duchess of Kent

The Royal Standard has been raised above the biggest Catholic church in England as King Charles made history and attended a funeral there.

The King was at the Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent which took place at Westminster Cathedral on September 16 2025.

It’s the first time the Monarch has been at a public Catholic funeral for a senior member of the Royal Family in over 300 years.

His Majesty was the last guest to arrive for the funeral with his car sweeping on to the plaza in front of the Cathedral soon after the Duchess’s husband of 64 years, the Duke of Kent, had entered with his children at his side.

As soon as The King was inside the building, the Royal Standard was flown above it to signal his presence.

It was an historic sight. Although Charles III is the second Monarch to step foot inside the Cathedral, following Queen Elizabeth II, this is an official event rather than a visit and so the Royal Standard was flown all the time he was there.

It’s a remarkable sight as for centuries, Catholics weren’t even allowed to marry into the Royal Family. When Katharine, The Duchess of Kent decided to convert to Catholicism, in the 1990s, she consulted Queen Elizabeth II about the move. It was agreed that as she had been Anglican at the time of her marriage to the Duke of Kent, in 1961, he would retain his position in the succession.

Since then, rules have changed. The Succession to the Crown Act of 2013 allowed those in line for the throne to marry Catholics without losing their place. However, Catholics are still not allowed to be Monarch.

The King has made very public efforts to brings all faiths together. In April this year, he visited Pope Francis in Rome, just days before the death of the Pontiff. Prince William attended the inaugural Mass of Francis’ successor, Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo sent a personal message of condolence to King Charles which was read at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent. 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.”

That message was another historic moment. It was sent from one Head of State to another but also from one church leader to another – King Charles is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.