Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Duchess of Kent brought “compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did”, as he paid tribute following her death.
He 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.
“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.”
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell paid tribute to the Duchess of Kent as “an advocate for children and young people’s welfare”, and someone who had “taught and encouraged generations of young musicians”.
He said: “Today, we mourn the death of Katharine, HRH The Duchess of Kent, who was born here in Yorkshire and whose royal wedding was held at York Minster in the city whose freedom she held.
“Katharine was an advocate for children and young people’s welfare throughout her life. She taught and encouraged generations of young musicians.
“Millions will remember her comfort and kindness exemplified in her embrace of Jana Novotna in the final at Wimbledon, whose patron she was for many years.
“In 1994 her own deep and profound faith led her from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism, a moment the then archbishop of Canterbury described as a ‘personal decision of a devout Christian on a spiritual journey’.
“She was held in high esteem by all who met her and knew her.”
