The Princess of Wales in Familiar Designs for Duchess of Kent Funeral Mass

The Princess of Wales was in familiar pieces for today’s funeral service for the Duchess of Kent. 

The Duchess passed away last Thursday at the age of 92. Here you see her with her husband, the Duke of Kent, in 1994.

The following is from a Buckingham Palace social media post today about the late Duchess, featuring a photo from the couple’s wedding in 1961.

And the text accompanying the Buckingham Palace post.

The late Duchess converted to Catholicism in 1994. The requiem mass was held at Westminster Cathedral.
Embed from Getty Images
Below you see the King as he arrived for today’s service. The Queen was unable to attend; Buckingham Palace reports she is recovering from “acute sinusitis.”

As noted by the Telegraph, “The service is the first royal Catholic funeral in modern history, and the first royal funeral to be held at Westminster Cathedral.” Below, the 89-year-old Duke of Kent as he arrived at the cathedral for his wife’s service.

The Duchess’s coffin was brought to the cathedral yesterday—more from The Telegraph’s coverage. 

Her coffin, draped in the Royal Standard, was moved from her home at Kensington Palace in a hearse as a piper played at the side of the road. The Duchess’s coffin remained there overnight, ahead of her funeral service…

Below, the Duke of Kent and the couple’s daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, as they arrived for a private vigil yesterday at the cathedral.

Others attending today’s Mass included the Duchess of Edinburgh. The Duke of Edinburgh is representing the King in Papua New Guinea.

The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. 
Embed from Getty Images
Prince and Princess Michael. 

Their son, Lord Frederick Windsor, and his wife, Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor.

And their daughter, Lady Gabriella Kingston.
Embed from Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter. 
Embed from Getty Images
Lady Amelia Windsor, one of the Duke’s and late Duchess’s grandchildren.  

Another view of the Princess of Wales as she is welcomed to the cathedral. 

Here is a quick video of the couple arriving, courtesy of Rebecca English of The Daily Mail. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral service. pic.twitter.com/8Cmg6IsIHH

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 16, 2025

A wide shot shows the interior of the cathedral.

More on the service from the Royal Family site. 

The Funeral marks the first Royal Funeral at Westminster Cathedral since its construction in 1903, and the first Royal Catholic funeral in modern history. 

The Mass was conducted by The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The Dean of Windsor joined the Cathedral clergy during the Mass, before presiding, with the Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, over the burial of The Duchess in Windsor.

A message to the King from Pope Leo XIV was read during the Mass. 

I was saddened to learn of the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent, and I send heartfelt condolences, together with the assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the Members of the Royal Family, and especially to her husband, The Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow. 

Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly Father, 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. To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I willingly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord

A piper at today’s service. 

More from the Royal Family site. 

A Piper from The Royal Dragoon Guards, of which The Duchess of Kent was the Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, played a Lament, ‘Sleep, Dearie, Sleep’, while processing from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, past the coffin in the Nave and down the Centre Aisle of the Cathedral. The same Lament was played during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022. 

The Duke of Kent, accompanied by Lady Helen Taylor and other mourners, followed the bearer party out of the cathedral after the service concluded.

The Duchesses of Edinburgh and York as they exited the cathedral.
Embed from Getty Images
The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence.
Embed from Getty Images
After the funeral, you see (from L to R) Princess Anne, Princess Michael, Prince Michael (in wheelchair) and his son, Lord Frederick Windsor, the King, Lady Gabriella Kingston, Lady Frederick Windsor, the Duke of York, and Prince William.  
Embed from Getty Images

The King with the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales. 

The King with Lady Gabriella Windsor and Lady Frederick Windsor.

The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh. 

Now, for our look at what Kate wore for today’s service.

The Catherine Walker Beaux Tie Coatdress was first worn at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.

It is described as a “…coatdress with pleats falling gently from the shoulder to tie into a bow at the neckline.” The design features princess seams, structured shoulders, three self-covered buttons at the front and at each cuff, and a distinctive bow. It is offered in a broad mix of colors at Catherine Walker, including the red style worn by the Princess of Wales.

The Princess wore her hair down with a loose wave and repeated her Jane Taylor ‘Halo’ Pillbox Hat ($2729) in black crepe with a birdcage veil attached.

In a Hello magazine piece, the milliner describes the Halo this way. 

“One standout is our signature creation, the Halo. First designed and named in our atelier a decade ago, this now-iconic piece has inspired countless imitations. When crafted with the right proportions, the Halo is effortlessly wearable and universally flattering, making it a timeless addition to any wardrobe.” 

The Princess carried her Chanel Classic Square Mini-Flap Bag ($5200) in black lambskin and a pair of Cornelia James gloves that look like they could be the Imogen style ($175).

We saw the return of the Gianvito 105 Black Suede Heels ($795).

The Princess wore jewelry that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the four-strand Japanese Pearl and Diamond Necklace, and the Silver Jubilee Pearl Earrings.

You may remember the Princess wearing this piece for a private dinner at Windsor Castle in 2017 that celebrated the late Queen and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary.

I will see you tomorrow with coverage of the State Visit by President and Mrs. Trump. 

VIDEOS: 

The Royal Family Channel has three minutes of coverage from today’s funeral.