The Kents put on a brave face this morning as they attended the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle, just hours after the shocking death of their son-in-law Thomas Kingston.
Dressed all in black for the late Greek monarch’s memorial service, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent spoke quietly as they sat in the pews of St George’s Chapel.
Kingston, 45, was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday night and emergency services were called shortly after 6pm.
A An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of death, but there are no suspicious circumstances or other parties involved.
Lady Gabriella paid tribute to her financier husband in a joint statement with her family, describing him as an “exceptional man who illuminated the lives of all who knew him”. His sudden death was described as “a huge shock to the whole family”.
Last Wednesday the couple had been seen together at an event at the National Gallery.
The King and Queen have sent their “deepest thoughts and prayers” to Lady Kingston and Mr Kingston’s family.
Dressed all in black for the late Greek monarch’s memorial service, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent spoke as they sat in the pews of St George’s Chapel this morning.
Tonight it was announced that Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, had died last night aged 45.
Lady Gabriella tonight posted a personal photo she took of her husband, showing him smiling and dressed in a casual pink shirt as he stood near a body of water in the sunshine.
A statement on behalf of the Kents’ daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston, Mr Martin and Mrs Jill Kingston, Mrs Joanna Connolly and Mrs Emma Murray, said: “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 illuminated the lives of all who knew him. His death has been a great shock to the entire family and we ask that you respect our privacy as we mourn his passing.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The King and Queen have been informed of Thomas’ death and join Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and all those who knew him in mourning a much-loved member of the family. “.
“In particular, Their Majesties send their deepest thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and the entire Kingston family.”
Prince William was forced to pull out of this morning’s memorial service at the last minute for unspecified “personal reasons.” It is understood his absence was not related to Mr Kingston’s death.
The tragic last photo of Thomas Kingston and his wife Lady Gabriella Windsor, taken at an event in London on Valentine’s Day.
Lady Gabriella Kingston and Thomas Kingston at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II held at St George’s Chapel
The Prince and Princess of Kent were close to King Constantine, who died aged 82 in January last year. He was godfather to Lady Gabriella, who did not attend today’s funeral.
Lady Gabriella, known to the family as Ella, and her husband were married at St George’s Chapel on the Windsor estate in 2019.
The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Kingston, known as Tom, had been a director at private equity firm Devonport Capital since 2017. His financial career also included stints at Voltan Capital Management and IDV Securities.
Prior to this, the Bristol University graduate spent time in Baghdad, Iraq, where he assisted with the release of hostages as part of his role in the Foreign Office’s Diplomatic Missions Unit.
While in the Middle East he also worked as a project officer for the Iraqi Peace Institute.
Kingston was known to be good friends with the Princess of Wales’s sister, Pippa Middleton, with whom he often appeared in photographs.
The couple began a romance in 2011 after the end of Middleton’s relationship with cricketer Alex Loudon. It eventually failed, but they remained close through their mutual friend Nico Jackson.
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston appear at Royal Ascot in June last year.
Thomas Kingston and Pippa Middleton photographed leaving Trishna Indian restaurant in May 2014.
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston attend day three, Ladies Day, of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2019.
A friend of Mrs Middleton previously told the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay: “Tom is absolutely charming, polite and very popular with the ladies.” In fact, he is the kind of person you would like to introduce to your mother.
After marrying Lady Gabriella, Mr. Kingston immersed himself in royal life. He accompanied his wife to the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022, with whom she was very close.
His father, Prince Michael, was the queen’s first cousin and grandson of King George V and Queen Mary.
On other occasions Mr Kingston was seen at Trooping the Color and sat in the royal box at Wimbledon.
The Rev. Canon Andrew White, who spent 10 years leading the Anglican church in Baghdad while working there, called Mr. Kingston “an exceptional young man.”
Speaking to the Mail before Mr Kingston’s wedding to Lady Gabriella, Cannon White said his greatest strength was “seeing beyond the impossible”.
Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor kiss on the chapel steps after their wedding at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston attend a memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey on March 29, 2022.
He added: “Tom is one of the most extraordinary people I have ever worked with and I would have him back by my side tomorrow if he came.”
Lady Gabriella, who has worked as an art and travel director for a brand company, is a writer and contributing editor. She is also a singer-songwriter and released two bossa-nova-inspired tracks in 2020 to raise money for charities.
Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the royal family, she and Mr Kingston’s family have the support of the Royal Household at this difficult time.
No plans for the funeral have been released at this time.