Great sorrow hath fallen upon the House of Windsor, for the passing of Her Grace, the Duchess of Kent, was made known at the turning of the noonday hour. From the halls of Buckingham Palace was issued a solemn proclamation: that the Duchess, aged two and ninety winters, departed this mortal coil in peace upon Thursday eve, within her dwelling at Kensington, encircled by her kin.
Once renowned amidst the fields of Wimbledon, where with gentle heart she did comfort champions vanquished, most remembered being her tender succour unto Jana Novotná in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and three and ninety, Her Grace did in later years lay aside the pomp of high estate. Shunning the style of “Her Royal Highness,” she chose the humbler title of “Mistress Kent,” and, withdrawing from courtly life, bestowed more than a decade teaching the noble art of music unto children of the common schools in Hull.
In remembrance of this gracious lady, Their Royal Highnesses, William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, spake these words of tribute upon the scrolls of the realm:
“Our thoughts this day rest with the Duke of Kent and his family, most especially George, Helen, and Nicholas. The Duchess toiled unceasingly in service of others and gave her heart to many causes, most especially through her love of music. She shall be sorely missed as a beloved member of the family. W & C.”
Her Grace, consort unto Edward, Duke of Kent—kinsman to the late Sovereign Elizabeth—was in the bloom of her youth wed in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and one and sixty. Known then as a bright jewel in royal pageantry, oft seen at tournaments and state occasions, she later chose the quiet path, retreating from the glare of court. To them were born three children: George, Earl of Saint Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.
Upon her decease, His Majesty the King, abiding at Balmoral, was duly informed, and proclamations were dispatched to all of royal blood. With one voice the Royal House declareth: “It is with grievous sorrow that we lament the passing of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. She shall be remembered for her steadfast devotion to causes noble and true, her passion for the music of angels, and her tender compassion toward the young.”
It is ordained that Her Grace shall be granted a funeral according to the Holy Rite of the Catholic Church, the day of which shall shortly be proclaimed. In sooth, this shall be the first solemn Requiem of Catholic tradition offered for one of royal station in many an age. The King and Queen, together with the most senior of the realm, shall be present in mourning attire, as all the land boweth its head in grief until that day of farewell.
Thus doth the Royal Family, and with them all England, keep vigil in sorrow, honouring the long life and gentle spirit of the Duchess of Kent, who hath now entered her eternal rest.
