September 17, 2025

In full: Pope Leo’s message to King for historic Catholic royal funeral

The Catholic Herald

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Pope Leo sent a telegram of condolence to HM King Charles III on the occasion of the funeral of HRH Katharine, Duchess of Kent.

The funeral marked the first royal Catholic funeral and the first time a reigning monarch has attended Catholic Mass on UK soil in a formal capacity since the Reformation.

The telegram was read out by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía during the Requiem Mass, which was attended by senior royals including 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 did not attend but sent his own private condolences.

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The Holy Father’s message read:

I was saddened to learn of the death of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and I send heartfelt condolences, together with the assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the members of the Royal Family, and especially to her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow. Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our heavenly Father, I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people in society. To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the resurrection, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.

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Leo pp. XIV

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(Photo by JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Leo sent a telegram of condolence to HM King Charles III on the occasion of the funeral of HRH Katharine, Duchess of Kent.

The funeral marked the first royal Catholic funeral and the first time a reigning monarch has attended Catholic Mass on UK soil in a formal capacity since the Reformation.

The telegram was read out by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía during the Requiem Mass, which was attended by senior royals including 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 did not attend but sent his own private condolences.

‍

The Holy Father’s message read:

I was saddened to learn of the death of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and I send heartfelt condolences, together with the assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the members of the Royal Family, and especially to her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow. Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our heavenly Father, I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people in society. To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the resurrection, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.

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Leo pp. XIV

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(Photo by JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Catholic Herald

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