Duchess of Kent to receive first modern royal Catholic funeral at Westminster Cathedral

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away peacefully at the age of 92, will have a historic Catholic funeral service at Westminster Cathedral, marking the first such service for a royal in modern British history. Despite the King being the head of the Church of England, he will attend the funeral, which reflects the duchess's personal decision to convert to Catholicism in 1994, the first royal to do so in over 300 years. The funeral arrangements include her coffin resting overnight at the Lady Chapel before the requiem mass led by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, followed by burial at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. Katharine was notable for breaking royal traditions, including being the first untitled person in over a century to marry into the Royal Family and openly embracing her Catholic faith, which she described as providing meaningful guidelines in life. Her conversion came after personal tragedies, including the loss of a stillborn son and a miscarriage, which deeply affected her and contributed to her faith journey. The royal family has entered an official period of mourning, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other senior royals expected to attend the funeral alongside the Duke of Kent and the duchess's family.