Thomas Kingston: Buckingham Palace announces 'shock' death of royal family member
Buckingham Palace has announced the "shock" death of Thomas Kingston, 45, who was the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston.
A spokesperson from the Palace 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."
Mr Kingston was found at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening, ITV News understands, with emergency services called shortly after 6pm.
There will be an inquest into the cause of his death, but there are no suspicious circumstances.
Mr Kingston was married to Lady Gabriella Kingston, who is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Prince Michael was a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
Lady Gabriella is currently 56th in line to the throne.
The 45-year-old's death is not linked to Prince William's absence from an event earlier on Tuesday, ITV News understands
Mr Kingston was a director of Devonport Capital, which specialises in providing finance for companies in “frontier economies”, and had previously worked in Baghdad, Iraq, working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office.
A statement released on behalf of his family said: "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."
Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the royal family, she and Mr Kingston’s family are being supported by the Royal Household through this difficult time.
Lady Gabriella, who has worked as an arts and travel director for a brand company, is a writer and contributing editor.
She is also a singer-songwriter and released two bossa-nova inspired tracks in 2020 to raise money for charity.
Mr Kingston was a close friend of Pippa Matthews, the Princess of Wales’s sister, and the pair were said to have dated in 2011.
Lady Gabriella’s parents Prince and Princess Michael of Kent attended the memorial service for the late King Constantine II of Greece on Tuesday in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The death of Mr Kingston was in no way related to the Prince of Wales missing the service due to a "personal matter" on Tuesday afternoon, ITV News understands.
William pulled out of attending a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle.
Kensington Palace would not elaborate further but said the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, continues to be doing well.
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