Sir Keir Starmer has issued an emotional tribute and sent his condolences to the Royal Family following the death of the Duchess of Kent.
The Prime Minister highlighted the “compassion, dignity and a human touch” that Katherine, the Duchess of Kent brought to everything she did during his tribute to the royal.
Sir Keir said: “I wish to send my sincere condolences to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family on the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
“For many years, she was one of our hardest-working royals – supporting our late Queen Elizabeth II in her official duties at home and abroad.
The Prime Minister highlighted the “compassion, dignity and a human touch” that Katherine, the Duchess of Kent brought to everything she did during his tribute to the royal.
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“She brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did.
“Many will remember that moment at the Wimbledon Ladies Final, when she touchingly comforted the runner-up, Jana Novotna.
“Later, when it was discovered she had been giving her time and working anonymously as a music teacher at a school in Hull, it seemed typical of her unassuming nature.
“In so many ways, the duchess sought to help. My thoughts are with her husband, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, her family and all those whose lives she touched.”
In 1993, she comforted a tearful Jana Novotna after the Czech tennis player lost the women's final.
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Buckingham Palace announced this afternoon that the Duchess of Kent died at Kensington Palace on Thursday evening, surrounded by family.
The Palace added that the King, Queen and members of the Royal Family are in mourning following the death of the much-loved royal.
The Buckingham Palace statement said: “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
“Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
“The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”
Katherine became the first senior member of the Royal Family to publicly convert to Catholicism since the Act of Settlement, which bars Catholics from the line of succession.
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Katharine, Duchess of Kent, was the music-loving royal who captivated Wimbledon crowds as the tournament's trophy presenter.
Her life changed dramatically when she met Prince Edward, the late Queen's cousin. They married in 1961 in a grand ceremony at York Minster - the first royal wedding there in over 600 years.
In 1993, she comforted a tearful Jana Novotna after the Czech tennis player lost the women's final.
The Duchess whispered: "Don't worry, you'll win it one day" - and she did, five years later, hugging the Duchess on Centre Court.
Katherine became the first senior member of the Royal Family to publicly convert to Catholicism since the Act of Settlement, which bars Catholics from the line of succession.
She converted with Queen Elizabeth's permission, who saw it as a personal matter of faith.
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