Duchess of Kent’s funeral to be first Catholic royal funeral in UK since Reformation

The Duchess of Kent, the first royal to convert to Catholicism since 1685, will have what is likely the first Catholic royal funeral since the Reformation on Sept. 16.

The untelevised liturgy will be held in Westminster Cathedral with Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrating and the cathedral choir singing parts of the Mass.

According to The Catholic Herald, the Duchess of Kent, who preferred to be called Katharine Kent, converted to the Catholic faith in 1994. She passed away at the age of 92 on Sept.4.

The duchess converted shortly after the Anglican Church’s General Synod in 1992, which voted to allow female “priests” and implemented the change in 1994.

The duchess, however, stated that her conversion had “a great deal to do with people I met.”

She also expressed appreciation for the Church’s clear moral instructions. 

“I do love guidelines, and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines. I have always wanted that in my life,” she said. “I like to know what’s expected of me. I like being told: you shall go to church on Sunday and if you don’t you’re in for it!”

She chose a life out of the spotlight but served quietly as a music teacher at a state primary school and volunteered at a homeless shelter run by the Diocese of Westminster. 

Kent’s husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, survives her at the age of 89. Several of her family members, including her son Lord Nicholas Windsor, her grandson Lord Downpatrick, and her granddaughter Lady Marina Windsor, are now Catholic, thanks to her example.