The Duchess of Kent: The life of the royal who became a school teacher

Life could be tough for an Army wife, and for Katharine her low moments included breaking down in tears at a public event and giving her first-born child two Christian names, George Philip Nicholas Windsor – despite the Buckingham Palace reduction of titles.

But Katharine rode the storm. A second son, Lord Nicholas Windsor, arrived in 1970, and a daughter, Lady Helen Windsor, half an hour later. Never had two royal children arrived in such close succession.

She proved an adept mother, especially appreciated by nannies. She played double bass in the orchestra for EastEnders while in the depths of worry about the upcoming wedding for her two eldest children.

She was ever supportive of her husband, too, when he took over Commonwealth duties from one of his brothers.

Yet despite fulfilling her duties with cheerfulness, Katharine could see that her most satisfying moments came from motors and blue-eyed children.

“My life has been a musical life,” she said. “I have led a very funny marriage, but it’s been successful.”

Such was her dedication to music that, when her husband became Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, she was campaigning for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

One close-watched victory was the Royal Albert Hall concert to mark the centenary of Sir Malcolm Sargent. For nothing, not even for herself, was the Duchess of Kent as happy as when she had been able to help others.

“Knowing one is giving is, above all,” she said. “That is the core of everything in life.”

She was also supportive of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which helps young people develop skills for life. “If you can reach their true selves, then you can change so much. That’s what’s been done to me,” she said.

Her charity work included involvement with the British Heart Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Not Forgotten Association – which supports wounded servicemen and women.

Her acts of kindness were noted across the Catholic Church. When she converted to Catholicism in 1994, she became the first modern royal to do so.

Her conversion set up one of the most significant constitutional challenges ever faced by the Royal Family.

The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 allowed any Catholic who married a royal to take their place in the line of succession. But when the then Prime Minister, John Major, had been asked whether this would affect the Duchess’s children’s eligibility for the throne, he replied, “Just watch this space.”

For a time, the Duchess’s suburban life was under the media microscope again. But, her decision was vindicated by public opinion. Her family became even more catholic, contributing to charities with money from sales of their belongings.

In 2002 the Duchess of Kent announced she was withdrawing from public life “due to my deepening spiritual faith”.

She had occasionally returned to royal duties since her decision.

In earlier years, her cheerful smile and calming presence made her a firm favourite at the Wimbledon tennis tournament. She was a regular fixture at the championships, presenting a variety of trophies over a 40-year period.

She was last spotted at the championships in 2018.

The Duchess’s move from royal quintessence to total waiver had pleased many. She had resigned because the lines between her commissioned responsibilities and her autonomous values were blurred.

She had tried to make a difference by virtue of what she believed. And she was content that she had fulfilled her noble passion – not as Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent, but as a refined musician and kind-hearted friend.