The Kents put on a brave face this morning as they attended King Constantine of Greece’s memorial service at Windsor Castle – just hours after the shock death of their son-in-law Thomas Kingston.
Dressed in all black for the memorial service for the late Greek monarch, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent quietly spoke to each other as they sat in the pews at St George’s Chapel.
Mr Kingston, 45, was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening with emergency services called shortly after 6pm.
An inquest will be held to establish the cause of death but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved.
Lady Gabriella paid tribute to her financier husband in a joint statement with his family, describing him as an ‘exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him’. His sudden death was described as a ‘great shock to the whole family’.
The King and Queen have sent their ‘most heartfelt thoughts and prayers’ to Lady Kingston and Mr Kingston’s family.
Dressed in all black for the memorial service for the late Greek monarch, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent spoke to each other as they sat in the pews at St George’s Chapel this morning
Tonight it was announced that Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, had died last night age 45
Mr Kingston is the son-in-law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
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 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.’
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘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.’
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 event in London on Valentines Day
Lady Gabriella Kingston and Thomas Kingston at the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II held in St George’s Chapel
The Prince and Princess of Kent were close with King Constantine, who died aged 82 in January last year. He was godfather to Lady Gabriella, who did not attend the memorial service today.
Lady Gabriella, known to family as Ella, and her husband got 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.
Mr Kingston – known as Tom – had been the director of 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 helped with the release of hostages as part of his role in the foreign office’s Diplomatic Missions Unit.
During his time in the Middle East he also worked as a project officer for the Iraqi Institute of Peace.
Mr Kingston was known to be a good friend of the Princess of Wales’ sister Pippa Middleton, who he was often pictured out and about with.
The pair struck up a romance in 2011 following the end of Ms Middleton’s relationship with cricketer Alex Loudon. It eventually fizzled out but they remained close through their mutual friend Nico Jackson.
A friend of Ms Middleton previously told Daily Mail’s Richard Kay, ‘Tom is utterly charming, polite and very popular with the ladies. In fact, he is just the kind of guy you would want to introduce to your mother.’
After marrying Lady Gabriella, Mr Kingston was immersed into royal life. He accompanied his wife to the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, whom she was very close with.
Her father Prince Michael was the Queen’s first cousin and a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary.