On September 4, 2025, the royal family mourned the loss of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away peacefully at 92 in her Kensington Palace home. A beloved figure known for her compassion, her trailblazing conversion to Catholicism, and her heartfelt moments at Wimbledon, Katharine was a quiet force within the monarchy, balancing royal duty with an unassuming life as a music teacher. But as the world prepares for her historic Catholic funeral on September 16—the first of its kind for a royal in modern history—a bombshell revelation has emerged: her final words reportedly included a poignant mention of Princess Diana, a figure whose memory continues to loom large over the royal family. This unexpected reference has left senior royals reeling and sparked a wave of speculation online. What did the Duchess say, and why has it caused such a stir? Let’s delve into the life of this remarkable woman, the mystery of her last words, and the shockwaves they’ve sent through Buckingham Palace.
A Life of Grace and Empathy
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley in 1933, was a Yorkshire native whose elegance and empathy defined her 64-year marriage to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Married in a grand 1961 ceremony at York Minster, with a young Princess Anne as a bridesmaid, Katharine embraced her royal role while forging her own path. Her most iconic moments came at Wimbledon, where she presented trophies and offered comfort to players like Jana Novotná, whose tearful embrace in 1993 after a loss to Steffi Graf became a defining image of Katharine’s warmth. “I know you can do it,” she told Novotná, words that resonated when the tennis star won the championship five years later.
Katharine’s compassion extended beyond the tennis court. A skilled musician, she taught music incognito at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull for over a decade, known simply as “Mrs. Kent.” Her love for music led her to found Future Talent, a charity providing instruments and lessons to underprivileged children. She volunteered with UNICEF, the Samaritans, and the Passage homelessness charity, and her 1994 conversion to Catholicism—the first by a senior royal in over 300 years—marked her as a trailblazer. Despite personal tragedies, including a stillborn son in 1977 and bouts of depression, Katharine’s resilience and dedication to others earned her widespread admiration. Her ability to connect with people, from bereaved families in Northern Ireland to sick children at Lourdes, made her a royal who transcended protocol.
The Final Words That Shocked the Palace
As Katharine lay surrounded by her family—her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children, George, Earl of St. Andrews; Lady Helen Taylor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor—her final moments were filled with love and reflection. According to sources close to the family, her last words were a quiet, emotional utterance that stunned those present: “Tell them… Diana was right.” The mention of Princess Diana, who died tragically in 1997, sent ripples of shock through the room. The cryptic phrase, delivered with a serene conviction, left her family grappling with its meaning and its implications for the royal family’s complex history.
Diana, the “People’s Princess,” remains a polarizing figure within the monarchy. Her death at 36 in a Paris car crash shook the world, and her criticisms of the royal family’s rigidity—aired in interviews and later echoed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—created lasting tensions. Katharine and Diana shared a close bond, with the Duchess acting as a mentor and friend during Diana’s early years in the royal fold. In a 1997 interview, Katharine described Diana as “great fun” and someone she understood “very well,” citing their shared struggles with royal life and their tactile, empathetic natures. Her final words, invoking Diana’s name, have sparked intense speculation: Was she affirming Diana’s perspective on the monarchy’s shortcomings? Was it a personal reflection on their friendship? Or something else entirely?
A Royal Family Caught Off Guard
The royal family, already preparing for Katharine’s groundbreaking funeral at Westminster Cathedral, was reportedly blindsided by her final words. King Charles, informed at Balmoral, is said to have been deeply moved, given his own complex history with Diana, his first wife. Prince William, who was close to his mother and has championed her legacy through mental health initiatives, was reportedly “shaken” by the mention, especially as he navigates his strained relationship with Harry. The Duke of Sussex, in the UK for charity events around the time of Katharine’s death, sent private condolences but has not publicly commented on the revelation. Sources suggest he was “profoundly touched” by the Duchess’s words, given his belief that Diana’s criticisms of the royal institution were vindicated by his own experiences.
The mention of Diana has reopened old wounds. In her lifetime, Diana spoke of feeling like an outsider, accusing the royal family of being cold and out of touch. Her 1995 Panorama interview, where she famously said, “There were three of us in this marriage,” referring to Charles’s relationship with Camilla, rocked the monarchy. Katharine’s reported words—“Diana was right”—have led some to speculate that she was endorsing Diana’s view that the royal family needed to modernize and embrace greater emotional openness. Others believe it was a personal message, perhaps tied to their shared experiences of navigating the royal spotlight or the pain of personal loss, as both women endured the heartbreak of losing a child—Katharine through a stillbirth, Diana through miscarriage.
Social Media Erupts with Theories
The revelation of Katharine’s final words has set platforms like X alight with reactions, ranging from awe to skepticism. “Katharine mentioning Diana in her last breath is huge—what was she trying to say?” one user posted, sparking a thread of theories. Some see it as a call for reconciliation, with one writing, “Maybe she meant Diana was right about the need for love and compassion in the royal family.” Others interpreted it as a critique of the monarchy’s treatment of Diana, with one user stating, “The Duchess knew how Diana was sidelined. This feels like her way of setting the record straight.” Skeptics, however, question the timing of the leak, with one post suggesting, “Sounds like someone’s stirring drama—would Katharine really say this on her deathbed?”
The online buzz reflects the enduring fascination with Diana’s legacy and the royal family’s internal dynamics. Posts have drawn parallels between Katharine’s quiet rebellion—her Catholic conversion, her decision to drop her HRH title in 2002—and Diana’s own defiance of royal norms. “Both women challenged the system in their own way,” one user wrote. “Katharine’s last words feel like a nod to Diana’s fight.” Others have speculated about the impact on Harry, with one post noting, “If Harry hears this, it’ll only fuel his mission to honor his mother’s memory.” The debate has also reignited discussions about the monarchy’s relevance, with some calling for the openness Diana advocated.
A Funeral Steeped in History
Katharine’s funeral, set for September 16 at Westminster Cathedral, will be a historic moment—the first Catholic royal funeral in modern times. Presided over by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, with the Anglican Dean of Windsor participating, the Requiem Mass will honor her faith and her wish to be laid to rest in the cathedral where she was received into the Catholic Church. The coffin will rest in Kensington Palace’s private chapel before a Rite of Reception and Vespers on September 15, followed by burial at Frogmore’s Royal Burial Ground. Attendees will include King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other royals, though Harry’s attendance remains uncertain.
The funeral’s Catholic nature already breaks with centuries of Anglican tradition, and Katharine’s final words add another layer of significance. Her mention of Diana has cast the event as more than a farewell—it’s a moment for the royal family to reflect on its past and future. The service, while private, will be closely watched, with royal watchers eager to see how the family navigates this emotional and symbolic occasion.
A Legacy of Truth and Compassion
Katharine’s life was a testament to living authentically within the constraints of royalty. Her conversion, her music teaching, and her charity work reflected a woman who prioritized purpose over protocol. Her final words, invoking Diana, suggest a lingering concern for the royal family’s path and perhaps a hope that Diana’s vision of a more human monarchy might endure. For Charles, William, and Harry, the words are a poignant reminder of unresolved tensions and the enduring power of Diana’s legacy.
As the world awaits Katharine’s funeral, the mystery of her final words continues to captivate. Was she affirming Diana’s critiques, honoring their friendship, or urging the royal family to embrace change? Whatever her intent, the Duchess of Kent has once again defied expectations, leaving behind a legacy that challenges the monarchy to confront its past and embrace a more compassionate future. In her final breath, she ensured that Diana’s name—and the questions she raised—would echo through the halls of Buckingham Palace, proving that even in death, Katharine remains a voice of truth and empathy.
