Prince William attends Thomas Kingston funeral after death

Prince William and members of the royal family attended the funeral of Thomas Kingston in London on Tuesday.

Kingston, the husband of King Charles’ cousin, Lady Gabriella, died Feb. 25 at the age of 45 by an apparent suicide.

Close to 140 friends and family gathered for his funeral at the Chapel Royal in St. James’ Palace.

Lady Gabriella was joined by her parents, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and other members of her family. Prince Michael of Kent is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles was not at the funeral, however, since he’s stepped back from making public outings amidst his treatment for prostate cancer. His wife, Queen Camilla, could not be there because she had to host a reception at Buckingham Palace.

Prince William previously did not attend the funeral of his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, on Feb. 28 due to “personal matters.” Although his last-minute absence heightened conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton’s whereabouts, Kensington Palace said she was still “doing well” after her January abdominal surgery.

William’s Tuesday appearance came one day after Kate apologized for doctoring a photo of her posing with her children for Mother’s Day UK. The photo was released March 10, and multiple agencies, including Reuters, the Associated Press, Getty and AFP, took down the photo, noting it was edited.

Kingston’s hourlong service was followed by a private cremation, with a larger memorial service likely to be held in the near future.

Kingston’s death was announced Feb. 27 by Buckingham Palace.

“It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother​,” the royal family’s statement read at the time, calling it a “great shock.”

“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​.” 

​The statement was released on behalf of Lady Gabriella, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray.

​The palace said Kingston was found dead in Gloucestershire on Feb. 25 with emergency services called to the scene shortly after 6 p.m.​ The cause of death was not immediately determined, but it was deemed not suspicious and no other parties were involved. 

An inquest found that Kingston — a director for Davenport Capital, a financial firm in London — died by apparent suicide and a “traumatic wound to the head.” A gun was found near his body.

A palace spokesperson said that King Charles and Queen Camilla sent their “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to Lady Gabriella and the Kingston family following his 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.

Kingston and Lady Gabriella, 42, were married in a royal wedding in May 2019 at St. George’s Chapel.