She currently stands as the oldest living member of the British royal family following the death of Her Majesty the Queen. But Katharine, Duchess of Kent made the decision to step away from her royal duties in 2002 – and she instead took on a very surprising job.
Katharine, 91, is married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a grandson of George V, and first cousin of the late Elizabeth II. The couple first met back in 1956, when Edward was in the Armed Forces and stationed at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire. An engagement announcement came some five years later, and the couple went on to tie the knot in York Minister in June 1961, with Princess Anne acting as one of the bridesmaids.
It was the first royal wedding held in York Minster since Edward III married Philippa of Hainault in 1328, and the Duke also became only the second British prince since the reign of George III to marry an untitled lady; at the time, then-Katharine Worsley was the only daughter and fourth child of landowner Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet.
Edward and Katharine went on to welcome three children together, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor. But they also faced great tragedy. In 1975, the Duchess had an abortion after contracting rubella while pregnant and just two years later, she gave birth to a stillborn son named Patrick.
The heartbreak prompted Katharine to take some away from royal duty and, in 1977, she spoke out about how it sparked severe depression. “It had the most devastating effect on me,” she told the Telegraph. “I had no idea how devastating such a thing could be to any woman. It made me extremely understanding of others who suffer a stillbirth.”
The Duchess made headlines in 1994 when she was joined the Catholic Church. It was a personal decision, and she confirmed she had received the approval of the Queen. In an interview with the BBC, Katharine explained: “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!”
