Katharine, Duchess of Kent (1933-2025), left behind a fortune of more than 1.4 million pounds (approximately 1.6 million euros). This is according to estate documents that were published on Monday. The majority will be inherited by her three children George Windsor (64), Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor (62), and Lord Nicholas Windsor (55).
The Duchess passed away on September 4 of last year at the age of 92 in her home, Wren House at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family. She was married to the Duke of Kent (90), a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), for 64 years.
How the Estate Is Distributed
In Great Britain, the estate amounted to 1,433,206 pounds after settlement of liabilities, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail. The will was reportedly drawn up on October 5, 2022. The Duchess signed it simply with Katharine Kent, in what the report describes as apparently shaky handwriting. A personal assistant and an occupational therapist served as witnesses.
She bequeathed her share of a property on Edwardes Square in West London to her grandson Edward Edmund Maximilian George Windsor, Baron Downpatrick. The proceeds from the family trust, the Worsley Settlement, go to her husband during his lifetime. After that, half of the remaining capital goes to the eldest son, one-third to the second son, and one-sixth to the daughter. The residual estate was held in trust for the three children after deduction of legal and funeral costs.
Bequests for Godchildren and Musicians
Her nine godchildren were also provided for, each receiving 5,000 pounds (approximately 5,900 euros): Catherine Cameron, Tania Astor, Clare Kerr, Amabel Kerr, Emma Scott, Christopher Morrell, Edward Marsh, Andrew Burley, and George Anandraj. 10,000 pounds (approximately 12,000 euros) go to the charity Future Talent, which the Duchess co-founded in 2004 to help talented young musicians from low-income families. Her personal belongings, including jewelry, furniture, and household items, went to the Duke of Kent, with the stipulation that he pass them on according to her instructions.
The fact that the will is publicly accessible at all is considered an exception. The wills of high-ranking royals are usually sealed and kept under lock and key for at least 90 years. According to the Daily Mail, the reason for the publication is likely that the Duchess stepped down from her royal duties in 2002. After that, she withdrew from public life.
Music Teacher Under a False Name
She was born in 1933 as Katharine Worsley, the youngest child and only daughter of a Yorkshire landowner. Prince Edward met her in 1956 when he was an army officer. His mother Princess Marina was opposed to the union, but they married in 1961 anyway. Katharine was the first commoner in more than a hundred years to marry into the Windsor family.
She was publicly perceived mainly at Wimbledon, where for over three decades she presented the trophies in the ladies' singles. After her withdrawal from royal service, she taught music under a different name at a state primary school in Hull for 13 years. She volunteered at the Westminster Cathedral homeless shelter and anonymously took calls for the Samaritans helpline.
Royal Family Gathered at Memorial Service
The memorial service for Duchess Katharine on September 16, 2025, at London's Westminster Cathedral was the first Catholic service for a member of the royal family in modern times.
Among the mourners were almost all of the senior Royal Family, including King Charles, Prince William, Princess Kate, and Princess Anne. Queen Camilla had to cancel at short notice due to illness. The Duchess was laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground in Frogmore, Windsor.
