Duchess of Kent has died

[BurntBroccoli]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/05/duchess-of-kent-dies

I am another who said “oh no” out loud when I read this. Such a lovely lady. (Wanted to comment yesterday but I am having nightmares with MN not loading properly 🙄)

🙈 oh dear!

Such sad news. The Duchess of Kent was such an asset both to her local and wider community and the Royal Family. Such a warm and modest human being. RIP Mrs Kent.

They said that the rules did not allow children as guests in the Royal Box (although royal children were allowed). So the Duchess was asking for the rules to be bent for her, but given the circumstances you might have thought they would have looked at the bigger picture…

Dear oh dear. You have really embarrassed yourself.

Even if you weren't sure who she was, the tiniest read of other comments would have made your mistake clear.

I was sad when I heard this yesterday.

She was one of the truly good and gracious members of the royal family from whom some of the current crop could really learn a lesson or two.

She didn't stand on ceremony, she really actually had the common touch and she was a very kind and gentle soul. A long life well lived.

May she rest in peace.

Very well said. I agree completely!

I’m not a royalist but I think she did her bit really well, and with a lot of grace. RIP.

I clocked at least three "news" websites yesterday that all had photos of PMOK rather than the Duchess so I'm actually somewhat surprised there hasn't been more people posting along those lines

Only royal children are allowed in the royal box apparently.

A lot of people could learn a lesson or two from the Duchess of Kent, not just some of the Royals. The world would be a much better place if more people were like her. As someone said she was serene (but willing to stand by her principles eg standing down from her role at Wimbledon)

Yes, another person who seemed to have had grace, class and kindness. A wonderful player too. I too was shocked when I found out much the same way you did, albeit a few years ago. I still think about her. Very sad to have died so young.

How embarrassing for you! You have muddled her up with Princess Michael of Kent. Not the same person and not the same family.

I think you get the prize for most ill informed and ignorant comment on the thread.

Absolutely. Stood down from official duties without a fuss. Went through mental health issues without publicity and self pity. Worked for others in many different ways

How fabulous!

How to make a fool of yourself on mumsnet in one easy step!

If only there was an internet tool or something where people could check their facts before they mislabel someone as a racist...🤔.

Her funeral will be the first Catholic royal funeral in the Uk in a very long time.

It'll be a full requiem mass at Westminster Cathedral. Her body will be received into the Cathedral the night before.

It's lovely that her beliefs are being so well respected, I have to admit I expected a small private funeral due to her being Catholic. It's been confirmed that the King and Queen will both attend.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1mx9vzmjy3o

But the Duchess did give a very rare BBC interview after Jana died - I'm sure you will find it online.

Yes that’s my memory too. Was 19, sitting on my stripped bed in my London halls of residence waiting for my dad to pick me up and watching Jana suddenly unable to hold back her emotion and start sobbing at being given the runner up shield when she had held the winning position so many times was just so very heartbreaking!

Let’s hope that poster comes back and apologises, especially as the rest of the thread is lovely

I liked her. I know she's had a good long life but I'm still sad.

Even though I don't follow her this lovely post by India Hicks has popped up on my IG feed (the other brilliant godparent she refers to is The King).

That is a truly lovely post.

I have an insane memory and as a six year old was obsessed with the royal wedding. India Hicks was one of Charles and Di's bridesmaids!

There was a documentary with India and her Grandmother who was bridesmaid for QEII and they had their dresses side by side.

My memory is how well Sarah Chatto managed the train.