Duchess of Edinburgh Wears Black Mourning in Canada After Duchess of Kent's Death

Following the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at age 92, members of the British royal family have been observing mourning customs during their public engagements. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was the first royal seen publicly after the announcement, appearing solemn and dressed in all black during her visit to Canada, adhering to a long-standing royal tradition requiring family members to carry mourning attire when traveling. Queen Camilla, however, broke with this tradition during an appearance at the Braemar Gathering Highland Games, wearing a blue dress and green beret with only a black armband as a symbol of mourning, a choice that sparked mixed reactions among royal watchers. King Charles and others maintained the traditional all-black attire, underscoring the period of official mourning. The Duchess of Kent’s passing was formally announced by Buckingham Palace, noting she died peacefully at Kensington Palace surrounded by family. This adherence to mourning protocols, established decades ago, reflects the royal family's respect for tradition and public expression of grief.