Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, died by suicide on February 25th. While the British press mostly talked around it, the coroner’s report said outright that Kingston suffered a catastrophic wound to the head, with a gun nearby. He apparently locked himself in one of the sheds or outbuildings on his parents’ Gloucestershire estate shortly after they had a Sunday lunch. His father was the one who found his body.
Now that we’re weeks past the tragedy, my theory is that the news of Kingston’s passing was thrown out to reporters by Kensington Palace on the same day Prince William was catching so much heat for skipping his godfather’s memorial service in Windsor. It would make sense – Gabriella and her parents apparently wanted to keep the news quiet for a few more days, but suddenly Buckingham Palace rushed to confirm the news of Kingston’s passing on the same day as Constantine’s memorial… all while KP rushed to confirm that Kingston’s passing wasn’t the reason why William skipped King Constantine’s memorial. Well, it doesn’t look like Ella is holding a grudge against William – William was one of several royals and royal-adjacents who attended a private funeral service for Thomas Kingston on Tuesday.
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.
It’s so sad. I guarantee that King Charles was the one who encouraged Ella to have the funeral at Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace, rather than Gloucestershire (his parents’ home). I wonder about the cremation, but I don’t want to speculate – it could be as simple as Thomas leaving a will with his explicit instructions for his funeral and remains. While people have talked a lot about how the British media has done the most to “respect” the Princess of Wales’s privacy, I’ve been impressed that Ella has avoided being photographed. See, the British media can respect boundaries when they want to.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- Newlyweds Mr Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor smile on the steps of the chapel after their wedding at St George’s Chapel on May 18, 2019 in Windsor, England.,Image: 506550530, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- His Royal Highness, Prince William – The Duke Of Cambridge attends ANZAC Day services at The Cenotaph, London, England, UK on Monday 25 April, 2022 with Australian Ambassador George Brandis to his right and New Zealand Ambassador to the UK Bede Corry to his left.,Image: 685917788, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- His Royal Highness, Prince William – The Duke Of Cambridge attends ANZAC Day services at The Cenotaph, London, England, UK on Monday 25 April, 2022 with Australian Ambassador George Brandis to his right and New Zealand Ambassador to the UK Bede Corry to his left.,Image: 685917835, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 03: Prince William, Prince of Wales visits Fitzalan High School as he celebrates the beginning of Black History Month on October 03, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush, the Prince and Princess of Wales will hear from pupils about the work they have been doing around black history.,Image: 810533245, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- Gabriella Windsor and Husband Thomas Kingston Celebrate Lady Rothermere`s Birthday At La Loma Featuring: Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 08 Aug 2022 Credit: Blitz Pictures/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North/South America and Australia Rights Only**
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- Gabriella Windsor and Husband Thomas Kingston Celebrate Lady Rothermere`s Birthday At La Loma Featuring: Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 08 Aug 2022 Credit: Blitz Pictures/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North/South America and Australia Rights Only**
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- The Prince of Wales attends The Dawn Service and lays a wreath commemorating Anzac Day at Wellington Arch in London. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: London, United Kingdom When: 24 Apr 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- File photo dated 18/05/19 of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston leaving St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, following their wedding. Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston, has died, Buckingham Palace has announced Featuring: Thomas Kingston, Lady Gabriella Windsor Where: London, United Kingdom When: 27 Feb 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- File photo dated 18/05/19 of Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor on the steps of the chapel after their wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston, has died, Buckingham Palace has announced Featuring: Thomas Kingston, Lady Gabriella Windsor Where: London, United Kingdom When: 27 Feb 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Whatever the circumstances, I don’t imagine she would be allowed to bar PW from the funeral. Appearances must be maintained. (And, not saying that she has a reason to snub PW.)
Terribly sad, another Iraq veteran gone too soon.
He wasn’t a veteran he worked for the foreign service and was posted to Iraq.
So revise that to someone possibly suffering from PTSD related to their war work?
Nevertheless, he was in an area that was bombarded with shelling and survived a bomb blast that killed 22 people. His religious beliefs must have been very shaken.
It’s a very sad story and I hope his wife and parents are coping.
Im surprised the british media wasn’t trying to pressure Prince Harry to attend the funeral. They like to use any chance or opportunity to include H&M in a story
Theres enough meat to fest on these days, the interest for the sussexes will die down until the carcasses are clean
Good one!
I’m confused. Was the BM trying to imply that William and Thomas had a thing going on? You know, like, that Ella was just bearding to Thomas? I didn’t get all the laying it on thick about how Thomas’ death was not the reason William skipped his godfather memorial or something.
I feel so terrible for Thomas’ parents, they should have been allowed to do the services at their chapel of choice.
It was likely a benefit to them, a gesture from the King, so that they would have a modicum of privacy. It’s also easier for security since it’s not on public grounds.
I mean…I wouldn’t want to write how Harry should be there and how awful it is he may not come if William himself was a recent no-show at his godfather’s funeral and could still pull out of this one the day of…Like, these people have no shame, but even they would feel silly in those circumstances.
This is such a sad and personal thing, and it feels gross that this story was used to cover (or distract from) PW’s last-minute bailing on the memorial service. And now, again, it seems it’s being used to say, “See? There was no foul play on PW’s part… he attended the funeral! Do you really think he would be there if he had harmed this man?”
I would have expected Charles to show up for a family member’s funeral. Could he be sicker than he is letting on?
I think it’s more about staying away from crowds of people. COVID and RSV are still going around and even a cold or flu could be incredibly harmful for someone undergoing cancer treatment. If I (or my loved one) was having chemo or radiation I would avoid groups of people.
This. When my mom was undergoing chemo, she avoided crowds – she retired from teaching, didn’t go to the grocery store or the gym, etc. When she was feeling up for it, she would play cards with a few close friends who would stay away if they had even the slightest hint of a head cold.
When my sister was undergoing radiation treatment, she had to isolate because she was radioactive – she couldn’t even eat dinner with her family for 4 or 5 days following a treatment.
To me it’s his utter silence and inaction about KP’s crumbling. It is really getting out of hand on a global scale and very damaging to the entire institution. Why is he not reacting in any visible way?? Is he OK?
Looking at that photo of Peg sitting there, my brand new conspiracy theory is getting fuel to the flame: namely that Peg himself has a health issue he is desperately trying to cover up. The swaying twice now and dropping the medal… I have no medical training but my father in law had a form of Parkinsonism that started with swaying, imbalance, dragging his feet while walking and clumsiness with his hands. It was hardly noticeable at first and he covered it up well for quite some time (also refused to have it checked out by a doctor because he kept saying it was nothing). What I’m thinking is a progressive neurological issue he can’t fully cover up anymore.
Perhaps Charles’ silence is his way of reining in William. We’ve criticized his parenting for years so if he is not covering for William is that deliberate, letting William suffer the consequences?
I kind of agree with you. While I think he could and probably easily does have a drinking problem, the elephant in the room is covid. It messes people up. That’s not the message the public and government want to portray, but it does have long lasting negative and sometimes debilitating impacts. I’ve lived it and have seen it. and these people travel a lot and are around big crowds. Once you get covid and your t cells don’t work properly for a spell, that’s when you get all sorts of secondary problems. People always prat on about how he had the TBI as a kid, maybe so maybe not but the combo of having had covid severely, then traveling, being around tons of people, add in a lot of stress or pressure and a TBI, you’ll definitely have neurological issues IMHO. Imagine the scandal of having to tell the public a member of the monarchy has long covid? No way jose. Torries not gonna let that happen. He seems like he has POTS for sure.
Sad, sad situation. PW should not be part of this man’s story.
A lot of people are choosing cremation these days.
This is such a tragic story. For it to be used as part of any palace communications strategy is despicable.
Very sad. If he spent time in war zones he had a Will with death directives written for a long time. Sad for his family and wife.
It’s weird to me that Camilla happened to have a conflict with the funeral, that she then didn’t reschedule.
Their schedules are very tight and difficult to re-arrange at the last minute. Plus, she would inconvenience and disappoint those who are relying on her to attend. It’s also about security measures. These things take time and money. William would have definitely inconvenienced a lot of people pulling out of the Greek King’s memorial service when it had been arranged around his presence.
They were a beautiful couple, and he was a beautiful man. It’s so sad. His wife must be devastated.