Sweet reason Thomas Kingston's funeral was today and poignant meaning for Lady Gabriella

By Catherine Meyer-Funnell, Royal Reporter based in London

Royal family in mourning as Thomas Kingston dies aged 45

The funeral of Thomas Kingston has taken place today, March 12, at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace in central London, with members of the Royal Family in attendance.

The date is especially poignant for his widow, Lady Gabriella Windsor, as it was exactly nine years ago today that they made their first public outing as a couple.

Back in 2015 the pair attended the Cheltenham Festival together, four years before they married on May 18 2019 at St George's Chapel in Windsor, one year after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot at the same venue.

Lady Gabriella is a member of the Royal Family but is not a working royal, as her father Prince Michael is a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Kingston worked in "frontier market investment", having previously worked in diplomacy and as a hostage negotiator in Iraq. He was 45 when he died.

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Mr Kingston's funeral is a poignant date for the couple (Image: Getty)

Mr Kingston was found dead at his parents' home in Gloucestershire on February 25 in an outbuilding on the property, with an inquest confirming he died from a "traumatic head wound".

Friends of the couple were shocked and saddened by the news, as they said the pair were "happily married until the end" and seemed "happy and positive" the last time they were seen in public.

Lady Gabriella and her husband were last seen on Valentine's Day at the National Gallery in central London at an event celebrating the works of William Shakespeare.

The couple made their debut at the Cheltenham Festival in 2015 (Image: Getty)

A statement made on behalf of his wife and family after news of his death broke read: "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."