It was with deep sorrow that staff at Buckingham Palace announced the death of HRH Katharine, Duchess of Kent, on September 4 last week at the age of 92. She passed away peacefully at Kensington Palace surrounded by her family.
The Duchess’ life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people set her apart from most people. I first photographed her in 2007 when she visited the Choir Schools’ Association Conference. She was the epitome of grace, elegance, service and humility. She was truly beautiful inside and out. She took care to engage with all she met and put them at her ease, often insisting that she should just be called Katharine.
Katharine co-founded the charity Future Talent in 2004 after thirteen years teaching music in a primary school in East Hull. Nicholas Robinson, headmaster of King’s College, Cambridge choir school at the time, joined forces with Katherine to create this unique venture which has touched so many lives.
In Hull, she had seen how financial hardship and lack of opportunity held back gifted young musicians – and she resolved to change that. For over two decades, Katharine poured her energy into ensuring that talent, not family income, determined how far a young musician could go. From her years teaching in Hull as “Mrs Kent,” to launching a national charity now supporting one hundred and fifty young people every year, her legacy continues to open doors for the next generation.
Earlier this year, Future Talent celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a landmark concert and album, RISE, at London’s Roundhouse – a testament to Katharine’s vision of inclusion and opportunity through music.
Katherine was instrumental in securing Buckingham Place for a concert in 2016 for the young musicians and to see their faces as they walked through the glorious Ballroom and other stately rooms was amazing. Katherine had had some health problems and was a little unsteady on her feet so underneath her amazing, jewelled dress she proudly showed me she was wearing trainers. In her honour, every time I photographed her, I wore trainers and she always laughed.
She gave so much to the children she encouraged musically and they all owe her a huge debt as many have gone on to make their mark in the music world.
Nicholas Robinson OBE, Co-Founder of Future Talent said: “Everyone at Future Talent is deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Katharine and we send our heartfelt condolences to HRH The Duke of Kent and to all of Katharine’s family.
“When I first met Katharine in May 2004, I was stuck by her strong desire to help and encourage musically gifted children who didn’t have the financial resources or support to develop their talents. At that time, Katharine was teaching music to primary school children in east Hull. Her experience of working with these children made her impatient to want to do something to help all young people with musical potential to flourish and to remove any barriers to their progress. She believed passionately in helping others to excel – especially those who are disadvantaged, and so in November 2004 we founded a national charity ‘Future Talent’.
“Katharine has played such an active role in the development and progress of Future Talent during the last 20 years, and we will miss her dreadfully. However, we can take comfort that her legacy will last for many years through the lives of all the present and future generations of young musicians who we will continue to support through the work of ‘Future Talent’.”
The world has lost a great lady, a truly wonderful human being, whose exemplary actions, courage and convictions are ones we could all do well to aspire to. I feel honoured to have known and worked with her for nearly twenty years, most especially on her 52nd wedding anniversary when she attended a concert with her husband the Duke of Kent, when he made everyone laugh by photobombing most of the photos of her.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .