Senior royals gathered at Westminster Cathedral today for the Requiem Mass of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, where King Charles and Prince Andrew were seen leaving the service in a focused and animated exchange.
The brothers walked side by side on the cathedral steps, their conversation continuing as other family members and guests filed out of the mother church of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The service was a full Catholic funeral, reflecting the Duchess’s faith and long private devotion.
Prayers and readings paid tribute to a life spent largely away from the spotlight in recent decades, with a particular emphasis on service, music and education — interests she supported quietly and consistently.
Prince Andrew pictured in animated conversation with King Charles as royals depart Westminster Cathedral
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Outside, the most striking tableau belonged to the King and his younger brother.
Prince Andrew is no longer a working royal following the fallout from his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
He stepped back from public duties and does not undertake official engagements on behalf of the Crown.
Despite his changed status and ongoing controversy, Andrew was permitted to attend Katharine's funeral as a member of the family, marking a personal loss.
Prince Andrew and King Charles are known to have a strained relationship
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His appearance alongside Sarah, Duchess of York, further underlined that sense of familial unity at a moment of mourning.
Prince William and Princess Kate were also pictured among the departing mourners and did not appear to be chatting with the Duke of York as the family exited the cathedral.
Queen Camilla did not attend. A Buckingham Palace spokesman told GB News: "With great regret, Her Majesty The Queen has withdrawn from attendance at this afternoon’s Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent as she is recovering from acute sinusitis.
Prince William, Prince Andrew and Princess Kate pictured exiting Westminster Cathedral
|REUTERS
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Prince William and Princess Kate were also pictured among the departing mourners
|REUTERS
"Her thoughts and prayers will be with The Duke of Kent and all the family."
Royal funerals are primarily private family occasions, even when the setting and attendees are public.
The King’s visible engagement with Andrew will be read by many as a simple acknowledgement of shared grief rather than any shift in the Duke’s position.
Prince Andrew and Prince William walked side-by-side at one point
|REUTERS
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