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Prince William and Harry’s cousin loses her husband, royals in mourning

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Thomas Kingston—husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston—was described by Buckingham Palace as a “much loved family member” after his death at the age of 45.

Lady Gabriella, 42, is a cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry and grew up next door to them at Kensington Palace when they were children.

Thomas Kingston was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening. There were no suspicious circumstances and an inquest will be held in due course.

Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella
Main image, Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Kingston are seen at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London in 2022. Inset, the pair are seen with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Ascot Racecourse in England…


Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Lady Gabriella’s father, Prince Michael of Kent, was a cousin to Queen Elizabeth II, and was previously a working royal, though he has retired.

Elizabeth attended Lady Gabriella and Thomas Kingston’s wedding in 2019, as did Prince Harry and other senior royals.

Lady Gabriella, Thomas’ parents, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray said in a statement: “It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother.

“Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the whole family and we ask you to respect our privacy as we mourn his passing.”

Buckingham Palace said both King Charles and Queen Camilla had been told of the loss.

“The King and The Queen have been informed of Thomas’s death and join Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and all those who knew him in grieving a much-loved member of the family,” a statement on Tuesday read. “In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family.”

Lady Gabriella Kingston With Harry, William, Diana
Princess Diana holds Prince Harry, alongside Prince William, Lady Rose Windsor and Princess Michael of Kent, who has her arms around Lady Gabriella Kingston, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on 11 June,…


Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

The sad news became public on a chaotic day for the royals after Prince William pulled out of giving a reading at a memorial service for his his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, because of a “personal matter.”

Kensington Palace said Kate Middleton’s recovery was still going well and Newsweek understands it was not related to the king’s cancer.

Queen Camilla attended the Service of Thanksgiving for Constantine at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

Constantine, Greece’s last king, died in January 2023.

Jack Royston is Newsweek‘s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.