SHE was the first “commoner” to marry into the royal family for over a century – long before the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
And now 92-year-old Katharine, Duchess of Kent – who describes herself as “just a Yorkshire lass” – is one of the oldest members of the firm.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has a fascinating royal life – from quietly serving the family to leading a double anonymous life[/caption]
For over half a century, glamorous Katharine has supported her husband, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who is the last surviving cousin of the late Queen.
However, there is more to the rarely-seen royal than meets the eye, with an unorthodox royal wedding and a Wimbledon scandal under her belt.
Despite all the glitz and glam of her palace connections, Katharine made the shock decision to lead a double life with a second identity from the age of 61 in 1996.
Renouncing her title, she became a music teacher at Wansbeck Primary in Hull for 13 years and enjoyed complete anonymity teaching kids from less privileged backgrounds.
She told the Guardian in 2014: “I was just known as Mrs Kent.
“Only the head knew who I was.
“The parents didn’t know and the pupils didn’t know. No one ever noticed. There was no publicity about it at all – it just seemed to work.”
And she even had the blessing of the Queen to pursue the worthwhile career, which she did until 2002.
Katharine explained: “There was nothing that I felt I wanted to hide away from.
“It was just something that happened in my life. I was always – I wouldn’t say proud of it, but I was glad I did it.
Katharine grew up at Hovingham Hall in North Yorkshire, the fourth child and only daughter of Sir William Worsley and his wife Joyce Morgan Brunner[/caption]
“I was supported through it as well. The Queen said: ‘Yes, go and do it,’ so I did.”
Despite growing up playing the piano, organ and violin, her taste in music is rather varied for a royal family member.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, she revealed she is a fan of rappers Eminem and Ice Cube, and added: “If you see someone on the M40 looking particularly dotty it’s me trying to rap in the car going home.”
Unusual wedding venue
Katharine wore the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara and a dress designed by John Cavanagh for her wedding[/caption]
But Katharine’s secret double life isn’t the first time she has not done things by the book.
She first met Prince Edward in the 1950s at an army base, and they announced their engagement in March 1961 and married that June.
However, the bride-to-be broke from tradition when choosing their wedding venue.
Shunning the usual options – Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and St George’s Chapel – she opted for something close to her home.
Katharine Worsley arriving at York Minster for her wedding[/caption]
The couple tied the knot in Yorkshire, her home county, at the York Minster, which hadn’t been used for royal weddings for 600 years.
Prince Michael of Kent was the best man while Princess Anne was one of the bridesmaids.
The couple went on to have three children – George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, born June 26, 1962; Lady Helen Taylor, born April 28, 1964; and Lord Nicholas Windsor, born July 25, 1970.
She also has ten grandchildren, including model Lady Amelia Windsor, who has been dubbed “Britain’s most beautiful royal”.
Katharine and Edwards are parents to George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor[/caption]
Abortion woes
After losing two pregnancies, in 1975, the Duchess had an abortion because of German measles and gave birth to a stillborn son, Patrick, in 1977.
The incident had a “devastating effect” on Katharine, she revealed to the Daily Telegraph in 1997.
She explained: “I had no idea how devastating such a thing could be to any woman.
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, pictured at Trooping the Colour (fourth from right) in 2013[/caption]
“It has made me extremely understanding of others who suffer a stillbirth.”
She had further health issues in 1978, when, after 20 years of public service, she was hospitalised due to “nervous strain.”
The BBC claimed she suffered from coeliac disease, Epstein-Barr virus, and had symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Religious conversion
Katharine, pictured with Edward and their son George in 1967, was the first member of the royal family to convert publicly to Catholicism since the passing of the Act of Settlement 1701[/caption]
The Duchess of Kent converted to Catholicism in 1994 – a move which would previously have led to swift exile for centuries of English royal history.
Thankfully, she received the approval of the late Queen and has said it was a personal decision.
At the time, the Act Of Settlement 1701 stated that a royal who married a Catholic would have their right to the throne dissolved.
However, this didn’t apply to Prince Edward as Katharine was an Anglican at the time of marriage, and then converted.
Katharine Worsley, Duchess of Kent, dancing with Lord Peter Carrington at Grosvenor House in 1961[/caption]
Explaining her decision, she told the BBC: “I do love guidelines and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines.
“I have always wanted that in my life. I like to know what’s expected of me.
“I like being told: You shall go to church on Sunday and if you don’t you’re in for it!”
Wimbledon scandal
In 1999, Katharine found herself in the middle of controversy at the Wimbledon championships.
The Duchess of Kent had tried to secure a seat in the royal box for the 12-year-old son of a bereaved friend.
However, this was denied as non-royal children are strictly forbidden from the area.
Katharine threatened to boycott the box all-together, following a “curt letter” from the All England Chairman.
Swanky palace home
The couple live at Kensington Palace – along with a number of royals[/caption]
While she may keep a low profile, the glamorous royal lives at one of the most elite addresses in London, Kensington Palace.
However, they are not the only members of the Royal Family living in the palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent also call the residence their home.
Formerly, Prince William and Princess Kate, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also lived at the palace.
The ‘posh apartment block’ at Kensington Palace that’s home to numerous royals
KENSINGTON Palace is one of the most grand buildings in London – but it’s also home to a number of royal family members and numerous staff.
According to royal expert Jennie Bond, residing at Kensington Palace is like “living in an extremely posh apartment block” – so it’s not surprising that a number of royals call it home.
The Duke and Duchess of Kent live at Wren House.
They have called the five-bedroom home – which is a cottage-style property with a white picket fence – since they tied the knot in 1961.
It was previously used as staff accommodation, and was named after Sir Christopher Wren.
Famously the Prince and Princess of Wales used Kensington Palace’s 20-room Apartment 1A as a home for a number of years.
Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank also spend time at Kensington Palace.
The royal couple moved into Nottingham Cottage, the former home of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, in 2022, after previously living in Ivy Cottage on the grounds.
Currently the family split their time between London and Portugal, where they reside at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club as Jack is doing marketing, sales and promotion for a property development out there.
The late Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, and his wife Birgitte van Deurs currently live in Kensington Palace’s Old Stables.
More royal residents at Kensington Palace include Prince Michael and wife Marie Christine von Reibnitz.
