The last picture of Thomas Kingston and his wife Lady Gabriella Windsor was taken at a Shakespeare event in London on Valentine’s Day, which was attended by Queen Camilla.
Tonight it was announced that the son-in-law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent died suddenly on Sunday at his Gloucestershire estate.
Mr Kingston, 45, was found by emergency services who were called just after 6pm on Sunday evening. An inquest will be held to determine the cause of his death, but the death is not considered suspicious as no third party was involved.
Mrs Gabriela paid tribute to her husband, an investor, describing him as “an extraordinary man who lit up the lives of everyone who knew him”.
A joint statement issued on behalf of his wife and grieving relatives said his death had “shocked the entire family”.
Less than two weeks ago, Mr Kingston and his wife Gabriella were seen smiling broadly for the cameras at a Shakespeare celebration at Grosvenor House.
They both wore coordinating blue outfits and looked happy as the Queen attended the gathering to mark 400 years since Shakespeare’s First Folio.
A week later, the couple, who had been married for five years, showed up. Together at an event at the National Gallery.
A statement on behalf of the Kent family, Lady Gabriella Kingston, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray, said: “We would like to express our sincere condolences to our beloved husband, son and brother Thomas Kingston. It is with deep sadness that we announce his death.”
“Tom was an extraordinary man who brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. His death was a great shock to the entire family and we ask that you respect our privacy as we mourn his passing. Please give it to me.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The King and Queen have been informed of Thomas’ death and join Prince Michael and Princess of Kent and everyone who knew him in mourning the loss of a beloved family member.” Ta.
“In particular, Their Majesties send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and the entire Kingston family.”
Gloucestershire Police confirmed they were called out on Sunday.
“At 6.25pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to reports that a 45-year-old man had died while giving a speech in the Cotswolds,” the force said.
“This death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Gabriella’s parents, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, put on brave faces as they attended the memorial service for their daughter’s godfather, King Constantine of Greece, at St George’s Chapel.
Dressed all in black for the memorial service for Greece’s late monarch, the Kent family spoke quietly as they sat in the pews of St. George’s Chapel.
Prince William was forced to cancel this morning’s memorial service at the last minute due to unspecified “personal reasons”. His absence is not understood to be related to Mr Kingston’s death.
Lady Gabriella, known to her family as Ella, and her husband were married in 2019 at St George’s Chapel on the Windsor Estate.
The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Mr Kingston, known as Tom, has been a 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 University of Bristol graduate was in Baghdad, Iraq, where he helped free hostages as part of his role with the Foreign Office’s diplomatic mission.
While in the Middle East, he also worked as a project officer for the Iraq Peace Research Institute.
Mr Kingston is known to be a good friend of Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of the Princess of Wales, and is often photographed out with her.
The pair began their romance in 2011, following the end of Middleton’s relationship with cricketer Alex Loudon. Although they eventually broke up, the two remained close through mutual friend Nico Jackson.
A friend of Ms Middleton’s previously told Richard Kay of the Daily Mail: “Tom is very charming and polite and very popular with the ladies.” In fact, he’s exactly the kind of person you’d want to introduce to your mom. ”
After marrying Lady Gabriella, Mr. Kingston immersed himself in royal life. He accompanied his wife to the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, with whom she was very close.
Her father, Prince Michael, is the Queen’s cousin and the grandson of King George V and Queen Mary.
On other occasions, Mr. Kingston was spotted at Trooping the Color and sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
Mr Kingston was previously described as an “extraordinary young man” by Canon Andrew White, who spent 10 years running the Anglican church while working in Baghdad.
Speaking to the Mail ahead of Mr Kingston’s wedding to wife Gabriella, Mr Cannon-White said his greatest strength was his ability to “see beyond the impossible”.
He added: “Tom is one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with and I’d love to have him by my side again tomorrow if he could come.”
Lady Gabriella has worked as an art and travel director for a brand company and is also a writer and contributing editor. She is also a singer-songwriter, and in 2020 she released two bossa nova-inspired songs to raise money for her charities.
Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the royal family, she and Mr Kingston’s family are receiving support from the royal family to help them through this difficult time.
No funeral plans have been announced at this time.