Plus, her very swanky home that was close to Prince William and Princess Kate

SHE was the first “commoner” to marry into the royal family for over a century – long before the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.

And now 92-year-old Katharine, Duchess of Kent – who describes herself as “just a Yorkshire lass” – is one of the oldest members of the firm.

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, has a fascinating royal life – from quietly serving the family to leading a double anonymous lifeCredit: Getty

The glamorous wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, attends the premiere in New York City in 1972Credit: Getty

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, married into the royal family in 1961Credit: Getty

Katharine next to the then-Prince Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London with a group of royal children in June 1968Credit: Getty
For over half a century, glamorous Katharine has supported her husband, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who is the last surviving cousin of the late Queen.

However, there is more to the rarely-seen royal than meets the eye, with an unorthodox royal wedding and a Wimbledon scandal under her belt.

Despite all the glitz and glam of her palace connections, Katharine made the shock decision to lead a double life with a second identity from the age of 61 in 1996.

Renouncing her title, she became a music teacher at Wansbeck Primary in Hull for 13 years and enjoyed complete anonymity teaching kids from less privileged backgrounds.

She told the Guardian in 2014: “I was just known as Mrs Kent.

“Only the head knew who I was.

“The parents didn’t know and the pupils didn’t know. No one ever noticed. There was no publicity about it at all – it just seemed to work.”

And she even had the blessing of the Queen to pursue the worthwhile career, which she did until 2002.

Katharine explained: “There was nothing that I felt I wanted to hide away from.

“It was just something that happened in my life. I was always – I wouldn’t say proud of it, but I was glad I did it.

Edward and Katharine arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Guyana Independence ServiceCredit: Getty

Katharine grew up at Hovingham Hall in North Yorkshire, the fourth child and only daughter of Sir William Worsley and his wife Joyce Morgan BrunnerCredit: Alamy
“I was supported through it as well. The Queen said: ‘Yes, go and do it,’ so I did.”

Despite growing up playing the piano, organ and violin, her taste in music is rather varied for a royal family member.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, she revealed she is a fan of rappers Eminem and Ice Cube, and added: “If you see someone on the M40 looking particularly dotty it’s me trying to rap in the car going home.”

Unusual wedding venue

Katharine wore the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara and a dress designed by John Cavanagh for her weddingCredit: Getty
But Katharine’s secret double life isn’t the first time she has not done things by the book.

She first met Prince Edward in the 1950s at an army base, and they announced their engagement in March 1961 and married that June.

However, the bride-to-be broke from tradition when choosing their wedding venue.

Shunning the usual options – Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and St George’s Chapel – she opted for something close to her home.

The Duke wore the ceremonial uniform of his regiment the Royal Scots Greys for the 1961 nuptialsCredit: Getty

Katharine Worsley arriving at York Minster for her weddingCredit: Getty
The couple tied the knot in Yorkshire, her home county, at the York Minster, which hadn’t been used for royal weddings for 600 years.

Prince Michael of Kent was the best man while Princess Anne was one of the bridesmaids.

The couple went on to have three children – George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, born June 26, 1962; Lady Helen Taylor, born April 28, 1964; and Lord Nicholas Windsor, born July 25, 1970.

She also has ten grandchildren, including model Lady Amelia Windsor, who has been dubbed “Britain’s most beautiful royal”.

Katharine is the grandma of Lady Amelia WindsorCredit: Getty

Katharine and Edwards are parents to George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas WindsorCredit: Getty

The Duchess of Kent with her daughter Lady Helen Taylor in 2008Credit: Rex

Abortion woes

After losing two pregnancies, in 1975, the Duchess had an abortion because of German measles and gave birth to a stillborn son, Patrick, in 1977.

The incident had a “devastating effect” on Katharine, she revealed to the Daily Telegraph in 1997.

She explained: “I had no idea how devastating such a thing could be to any woman.

Katharine, Duchess of Kent, pictured at Trooping the Colour (fourth from right) in 2013Credit: Getty
“It has made me extremely understanding of others who suffer a stillbirth.”

She had further health issues in 1978, when, after 20 years of public service, she was hospitalised due to “nervous strain.”

The BBC claimed she suffered from coeliac disease, Epstein-Barr virus, and had symptoms of chronic fatigue.

Religious conversion

Katharine, pictured with Edward and their son George in 1967, was the first member of the royal family to convert publicly to Catholicism since the passing of the Act of Settlement 1701Credit: Getty
The Duchess of Kent converted to Catholicism in 1994 – a move which would previously have led to swift exile for centuries of English royal history.

Thankfully, she received the approval of the late Queen and has said it was a personal decision.

At the time, the Act Of Settlement 1701 stated that a royal who married a Catholic would have their right to the throne dissolved.

However, this didn’t apply to Prince Edward as Katharine was an Anglican at the time of marriage, and then converted.

Katharine Worsley, Duchess of Kent, dancing with Lord Peter Carrington at Grosvenor House in 1961Credit: Getty
Explaining her decision, she told the BBC: “I do love guidelines and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines.

“I have always wanted that in my life. I like to know what’s expected of me.

“I like being told: You shall go to church on Sunday and if you don’t you’re in for it!”

Wimbledon scandal

Katharine comforted Czech tennis player Jana Novotna after losing the women’s singles final at the 1993 Wimbledon Championships in 1993Credit: PA:Press Association
In 1999, Katharine found herself in the middle of controversy at the Wimbledon championships.

The Duchess of Kent had tried to secure a seat in the royal box for the 12-year-old son of a bereaved friend.

However, this was denied as non-royal children are strictly forbidden from the area.

Katharine threatened to boycott the box all-together, following a “curt letter” from the All England Chairman.

Swanky palace home

The couple live at Kensington Palace – along with a number of royalsCredit: Alamy
While she may keep a low profile, the glamorous royal lives at one of the most elite addresses in London, Kensington Palace.

However, they are not the only members of the Royal Family living in the palace.