Prince William and Royal Family Unite for Thomas Kingston's Funeral After His 'Shock' Death at Age 45
Buckingham Palace announced on Feb. 27 that the husband of Lady Gabriella died
Members of the royal family came together for the funeral of Thomas Kingston on Tuesday.
The financier, who is the husband of King Charles' cousin, Lady Gabriella, was laid to rest following his death on Feb. 25 at age 45. Around 140 close friends and family gathered at the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace in London for the private service, which was attended by Prince William. Lady Gabriella was joined by her parents Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Kingston’s family.
King Charles was not in attendance as he continues to step back from public outings amid his cancer treatment. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla had prior commitments to host a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning.
The one-hour service was followed by a private cremation. A larger-scale memorial service for Kingston is likely to be held in due course.
Buckingham Palace announced the news of Kingston's death on Feb. 27.
"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,” said the statement released on behalf of Lady Gabriella, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray.
Related: Thomas Kingston, Former Boyfriend of Pippa Middleton and Husband to Lady Gabriella, Dead at Age 45
The palace said that he was found dead in Gloucestershire on Feb. 25 with emergency services called to the scene shortly after 6 p.m. Although the cause of death was not immediately determined, no suspicious circumstances or other parties were involved.
An ensuing inquest found that Kingston died by apparent suicide. A spokesperson for the coroner's office confirmed to PEOPLE that the cause of death was a "traumatic wound to the head," and a gun was found near his body. PEOPLE confirms the inquest has been adjourned to a later date.
Kingston was a director at Davenport Capital, a financial firm in London.
He married Lady Gabriella in a royal wedding in May 2019. Gabriella, 42, is the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth.
A palace spokesperson said that King Charles and Queen Camilla sent their “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to Lady Gabriella and the Kingston family following the death.
"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. In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family," the statement said.
Lady Gabriella is currently 56th in the line of succession to the throne behind her elder brother, Lord Frederik Windsor, and his young daughters.
Lord Frederick and Lady Gabriella were raised mostly outside of the royal spotlight and grew up to pursue private careers – he is a financial analyst while she is a freelance journalist. The siblings sometimes joined their parents at classic events on the royal family calendar, like Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon and various equestrian events.
Buckingham Palace shared the news of Lady Gabriella and Kingston's engagement in September 2018. Kingston proposed that August on Sark, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of France.
The couple went on to wed at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2019, nearly a year to the day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot at the same venue.
The bride wore an heirloom Russian Fringe-style diamond tiara that her grandmother Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and her mother, Princess Michael, both slipped on for their royal wedding days, and the newlyweds celebrated with a reception at Frogmore House after.
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Lady Gabriella and her husband commonly attended events with the royal family, from Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral in September 2022 to the Royal Ascot with King Charles and Queen Camilla over the summer.
The couple joined Queen Camilla less than two weeks before his death at a Celebration of Shakespeare event on Feb. 14.
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