India Hicks has posted a hearfelt tribute to the late Katharine, Duchess of Kent on social media. The 92-year-old, who was married to the Duke of Kent, died peacefully on Thursday evening at her Kensington Palace home surrounded by her family.
India, who is the daughter of Lady Pamela Hicks – an aristocrat and friend of the Queen – and David Nightingale Hicks, was the late royal’s goddaughter. Taking to Facebook, she shared two pictures of herself with Katharine – including one from her christening as a baby.
Alongside the two pictures, which she also posted on her Instagram account, @indiahicksstyle, she wrote a sweet tribute to her late godmother.
Writing a memory of Katharine, India, 58, wrote: “My grandfather’s funeral was held on my 11th Birthday. It took place on 5th September 1979, following his assassination by the IRA. Before the service, on the steps of Westminster Abbey, Princess Grace approached my mother.
“Seeing me, she caught sight of a gold cross I was wearing and, bending down commented on how lovely it was. “Thank you. It is brand-new today, from my godmother.” I replied childishly.
“My Godmother, the Duchess of Kent, had remembered that it would be my birthday. She had organized in a short amount of time to have this small cross engraved with the date.”
Speaking fondly of Katharine, she added: “She was an involved Godmum. She attended my christening [seen here standing next to another exceptional godparent] she attended my confirmation, she even attended my daughter’s christening. She never forget a birthday or Christmas.
“She would send me letters to boarding school written in her beautiful spidery hand writing. A thoughtful and graceful godmother whose deeply personal faith journey left a lasting impression on me as a teenager.”
She concluded: “I woke to the news that my godmother had slipped away last night. There is a kind of blessing in departing peacefully after a long life threaded with such compassion, and devotion.”
The King and Queen also posted a tribute to Katharine on social media, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.