The Duchess of Kent has died

Duchess of Kent with Bishop Victor Guazzelli

The Duchess of Kent, much-loved patron of HCPT and many other charities, has died, at the age of 92.

In a statement today, Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace.

"The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess's life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people."

Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley on February 22 1933, she had an aristocratic upbringing as the only daughter of landowner Colonel Sir William Worsley - a baronet - and Lady Worsley of Hovingham Hall, near York.

She married King George V's grandson Edward, Duke of Kent, in York Minster in 1961. The pair have three surviving children, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.

In 1994 she became the first member of the Royal Family to convert to Catholicism for more than 300 years. The Duchess was received into the Catholic Church in a private service conducted by Cardinal Basil Hume.

The Duchess did much charitable work throughout her life. She was Royal Patron of HCPT, attending events and often accompanying their Easter pilgrimages to Lourdes. She was also a UNICEF ambassador.

A skilled pianist, organist and singer, after visiting Wansbeck Primary School in Hull in 1996, she offered to help with music teaching and gave a weekly 40-minute lesson, as well as working with its choir, spending 13 years at the school. She also taught part-time in a school attended by children who lived in Grenfell Tower.

The Duchess founded the charity Future Talent which gives children from low-income backgrounds opportunities to study music by helping with the purchase of instruments and funding of music lessons.

HCPT said: "We are saddened by the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, HCPT Patron.

She knew from personal experience that Lourdes is a very special place, and that HCPT's pilgrimages to Lourdes are truly life changing for so many children and adults. Katharine's support meant a great deal to us.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her."

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: "I have received with sadness the news today of the death of Her Royal Highness, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent," said Cardinal Nichols. "I recall with fondness her presence in our community, especially her participation in the pilgrimage to Lourdes, as well as her lifetime of public service.

"I have written to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent and assured him of the prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales. We pray that God will receive her soul into heaven, the promise given to us by Our Lord, Jesus Christ. May Katharine now rest in peace and rise in glory."