Princess Kate and King Charles’s close bond was clear during the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent.

Following the Catholic Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday, September 16, members of the Royal Family gathered on the cathedral steps as the Duchess’s coffin was placed into a hearse.

Before the King departed, Kate bid farewell with kisses on both cheeks and a brief curtsy, resting her hands gently on his shoulders. The gesture reflected the warm relationship between the 76-year-old monarch and his 43-year-old daughter-in-law.

A Relationship Built on Affection and Respect

King Charles has publicly expressed his fondness for Kate, calling her “my beloved daughter-in-law” during a state banquet in Kenya in October 2023. He also fondly remembered that it was in Kenya where Prince William proposed to her in 2010.

Their connection has strengthened further in recent years as both faced cancer diagnoses in 2024. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith noted to People that Charles “has always had a very good bond” with Kate.

“I don’t think it is presumptuous to say that she is like the daughter he never had,” she explained. “He shares with William an impulse to protect her. They are in this together, Kate and the King.”

A royal insider echoed the sentiment, adding that beyond their titles as King and future Queen, they are also “two patients going through a common health experience.” The source suggested this shared journey created an added closeness: “I imagine there was some comfort [for Kate] in seeing… that it was possible to balance some private information without there being an imperative to share all.”

Honouring the Duchess of Kent

The Royal Family gathered to pay their respects to Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away on September 4. She was married to the Duke of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and is survived by her husband, their three children, and 10 grandchildren.

Among those in attendance were Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, as well as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who was present without Prince Edward as he is currently in Papua New Guinea.

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, made unexpected appearances, alongside Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.