Remembering Katharine, the Duchess of Kent – our namesake and a champion of hospice care
08 September 2025 | View all news
We join hospices across the nation in mourning the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, 4 September at the age of 92.
Life-long devotion
The inspiration for our charity name, the Duchess holds a special place in the story of Katharine House Hospice. On 7 October 2002, her husband, the Duke of Kent, visited our hospice day centre, meeting staff and patients and marking our official opening as Katharine House Hospice.
A statement from the palace reads: “Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
“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.”
Link to hospice care
The Duchess of Kent’s commitment to hospice care was remarkable.
In 1982, she opened Helen House, the world’s first children’s hospice, and went on to lend her name to many hospices, including our own.
Beyond these lasting symbols of her support, she remained deeply engaged with the movement until she began to withdraw from public life. In 1989, she wrote the foreword to broadcaster Martyn Lewis’s book ‘Tears and Smiles’, which explored the importance of hospice care.
Chief Executive Richard Soulsby says, “We are proud to carry the name Katharine House Hospice in recognition of the Duchess of Kent’s contribution to the Hospice movement. Our thoughts are with her family, who have lost a quietly compassionate and empathic person, whose support of hospices and palliative care was appreciated by all the hospices she supported.”
Her lifelong dedication to hospice work leaves a profound legacy of compassion and hope. And at Katharine House Hospice, we honour her memory in the care we provide every day.
