Commemorative Service for the British Dutchess Held Historic, as King and Notable Royals Attend
In a solemn and historic event, the funeral Mass for the Duchess of Kent, Katharine, took place at Westminster Cathedral, marking the first royal event in the cathedral since its opening in 1903. King Charles III, Prince of Wales, and numerous other royal family members attended the service, which was filled with Catholic prayers and symbolic significance.
The Duchess of Kent, who converted to Catholicism before her marriage to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961, had been a member of the royal family for over six decades. Her faith journey continued after her conversion, with the queen's consent, by Cardinal Basil Hume.
Pope Leo extended his 'prayerful closeness' to the king and family members in a message read by the Vatican nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Buendia. This gesture was echoed by Queen Camilla, who pledged 'thoughts and prayers' despite being prevented by health problems from attending the Mass.
The event was seen as a significant step in renewing the link between the monarchy and Catholicism, broken at the Reformation. Catholic historian Timothy Guile stated that the occasion would help bridge this historical divide.
Bishop James Curry of Westminster, in his homily, praised the duchess's compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation. He also highlighted her work as a primary school teacher, with the armed forces, sick children, the homeless, and the Samaritans.
The duchess's grandchildren read prayers during the service, including those for the pope and deceased friends and relatives. The king's first formal attendance at a Catholic Mass in Britain was described as 'one of the most significant moments in recent Catholic history.'
The Catholic Church has had a significant historical contribution to Britain, with figures like Princess Victoria and Princess Beatrice, granddaughters of Queen Victoria, becoming Catholics after marrying into the Spanish royal family in 1906 and 1913, respectively.
Josephine Siedlecka, editor of the London-based Independent Catholic News agency, mentioned King Charles III's sympathetic and conciliatory attitude towards Catholics. However, there is no public record of a similar public statement from her before the Duchess of Kent's funeral.
The chairman of Britain's Latin Mass Society stated that celebrity converts serve as 'important witnesses to the faith' and help attract 'attention and prestige' to the Catholic Church. Other Catholic royals include Princess Michael of Kent and the Duchess of Kent's son, Lord Nicholas Windsor, who is honorary vice president of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Serving royals in Britain were barred from marrying Catholics until a 2013 Succession to the Crown Act. Catholics remain barred from royal succession in Britain under a 1701 Act of Settlement. However, the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May 2023 saw him pledge to protect the Church of England's 'rights and privileges' and 'uphold the Protestant religion.'
Despite these historical barriers, the Duchess of Kent's funeral marked a renewed effort to bridge the gap between the monarchy and Catholicism. The chairman of the Catholic History Association emphasised that Catholics have made a significant historical contribution to Britain and are 'as patriotically British as anyone else.'
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who did not attend the funeral due to health problems, was not present to witness this historic moment. However, his absence did not diminish the significance of the event, which will undoubtedly be remembered as a turning point in the relationship between the British monarchy and Catholicism.
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