Duchess of Kent’s coffin placed in Westminster Cathedral Lady Chapel

The Duchess of Kent’s coffin has been moved by Royal Hearse to Westminster Cathedral ahead of today's requiem Mass. 

On the evening of 15 September, the coffin was transferred from a private chapel at Kensington Palace to the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary inside the Cathedral. From the hearse, the coffin was carried by uniformed servicemen and draped in the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom — the banner of arms of the British monarchy.

Following the reception, it is believed that Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, carried out the Rite of Reception and led Vespers for immediate family, including the Duke of Kent, his siblings Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, as well as their daughter, Lady Helen Taylor.

The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward (born 9 October 1935), is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a grandson of King George V. At the time of his birth, he was seventh in line to the throne. He is now believed to be around 42nd. The couple’s daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, is currently 48th in line to the throne. Their son, Lord Nicholas Windsor, converted to Catholicism in 2001 and thus relinquished his right to succeed.

At the time of the Duchess of Kent’s conversion, the Act of Settlement 1701 still prohibited a royal successor from marrying a Roman Catholic and retaining their place in the line of succession. However, the Act did not address the case of someone marrying an Anglican who subsequently becomes a Catholic — meaning, in theory, the Duchess could have become the first Catholic Queen Consort since the Reformation if the Duke had become king. The 2013 Succession to the Crown Act revoked the prohibition on heirs marrying Catholics, but a Catholic remains barred from becoming monarch.

The funeral, which will take place at 2pm BST, is not open to the general public. Attendees at the funeral include King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, and Sylvana Palma Tomaselli; Lady Helen Taylor and Timothy Taylor with their children Columbus, Cassius, Eloise and Estella; Lord Nicholas Windsor and Paola Windsor with their sons Albert, Leopold and Louis; Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra, Lord Frederick Windsor, Lady Frederick Windsor, Lady Gabriella Windsor, Lady Marina Windsor and Lady Amelia Windsor. Prince Harry is not attending but has sent private condolences.

A piper from the Royal Dragoon Guards will play Sleep, Dearie, Sleep while processing from the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, past the coffin, and down the centre aisle of Westminster Cathedral. The choir and organist of Westminster Cathedral will perform choral music, including works by Maurice Duruflé. One specific piece is Mozart’s Ave verum corpus, which the Duchess selected as her favourite when she appeared on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.

The Requiem Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.

(Photo by Paul Grover - WPA Pool/Getty Images)