‘Traumatic’: Royal’s cause of death revealed
An inquest into the death of “much loved member of the Royal Family”, Thomas Kingston, has released details around the financier’s shock passing.
The husband of royal Gabriella Windsor died of a “traumatic head wound”, a British inquest has heard.
Thomas Kingston was unexpectedly found dead last weekend while visiting his parents for lunch.
It is understood he was discovered in an outbuilding at his family’s Cotswolds home, The Sun reported.
In tragic events that have left the Royal Family in shock, Kingston locked himself in the building while his father went to walk the dogs.
After 30 minutes, Kingston’s father, Martin, had to force entry and found his son’s body.
An inquest opening at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court revealed the cause of death.
The financier died from a “traumatic head wound” and was found with a gun near to his body.
“Mr Kingston was visiting his parents’ home in the Cotswolds,” senior coroner Katy Skerrett said.
“On February 25 2024 he ate lunch with his parents. His father went out to walk the dogs.
“On his return Mr Kingston was not in the house and after approximately 30 minutes his mother went to look for him.
“His father forced entry on a locked out building when no reply could be gained.
“He found Mr Kingston deceased with a catastrophic head injury. A gun was present at the scene.
“Emergency services were called. Police are satisfied the death is not suspicious.”
The inquest was attended by Laura Sullivan, press secretary to the Royal household.
Miss Sullivan made no comment.
No funeral plans have been released so far.
The Royal Family are said to still be coming to terms with the sudden death with tributes pouring in from royals including King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Kingston joined the Royal Family when he married Lady Gabriella, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, in 2019.
A statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella, and his parents Martin and Jill Kingston, 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.”
Buckingham Palace said the Royal Family was “grieving a much-loved member of the family”.
Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the family, she and Kingston’s family are being supported by the Royal household.
Prior to marrying into the monarchy, Kingston survived a suicide bombing in Baghdad which killed 22.
Kingston’s job was to mediate conflicts in Iraq and was said to have had countless brushes with death.
He and his wife were last pictured at a London event on Valentine’s Day.
‘HAPPY AND CHATTY’: INSIDE ROYAL’S FINAL DAYS
Earlier, friends gave an insight into Kingston’s final days.
A friend who saw Gabriella — also known as “Ella” — and Kingston last week at a National Gallery event in London opened up about the couple in a new interview.
“They seemed happy and positive as ever,” the friend told the Daily Mail. “Ella was particularly chatty.”
Another friend told the outlet that Kingston’s death is “utterly shocking.”
“None of us saw it coming. I cannot understand it.”
One friend also shed light on Kingston’s character, calling him “charming” and a “gentleman”.
“He’s one of those guys who can be quite enigmatic and doesn’t tell you what he is thinking. He’s careful. Perhaps it’s a legacy from the work he was doing in Iraq,” another companion revealed.
Kingston was once stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, where he worked for the United Kingdom’s Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office to secure the release of hostages.
Windsor, who was said to be a favourite of the late Queen, and Kingston were last photographed together on February 14, when they attended an event with Queen Camilla, 76, to honour the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s First Folio.
Windsor is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and is 56th in line to the British throne. Windsor is the second cousin to King Charles III, 75, and was even present at his coronation last year with her husband.
Kingston — who had previously been in a relationship with Pippa Middleton — married Windsor in May 2019 at Windsor Castle with the late Queen and Prince Philip in attendance.
“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,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family.”
Windsor, as well as Kingston’s parents and his sisters, released their own statement.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother,” they 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.”
WILLIAM EXITS EVENT DUE TO ‘PERSONAL MATTER’
Prince William pulled out of a church service at the last-minute due to a “personal matter” as the Palace confirmed Princess Catherine is “doing well”.
A Kensington Palace source suggested that the decision was not connected to his wife, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, insisting that “the Princess of Wales continues to be doing well”.
Queen Camilla led a royal party at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Tuesday (local time) for the Thanksgiving service in honour of Greece’s late King Constantine.
King Charles was at Windsor Castle but left before the ceremony. He was photographed waving to the public as he arrived in London.
The Prince of Wales informed the Greek royal family he could not attend the service due to a personal matter.
Catherine, 42, is recuperating at home after her planned procedure on January 16.
She spent 13 days recovering at the private London Clinic before heading home – and she is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline duties until after Easter.
But in a clear sign of her recovery, the Princess joined William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a half-term trip holiday on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The late King Constantine of Greece, who died in January last year, was Prince William’s godfather.
William was due to give a reading at the service, but instead, Prince Pavlos, the son of King Constantine carried out the honours.
Kensington Palace would not elaborate further but said that Princess Catherine, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, continues to be doing well.
Camilla was joined at Windsor by Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie, former Queen of the Hellenes and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pavlos, with members of the Greek Royal Family.
The Queen was seen beaming as she talked to guests upon arrival at the historic church.
She then took a seat next to Princess Anne as the memorial service got underway.
Prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also spotted arriving at the special service.
The Queen will also attend a reception with the Greek royals after the service has concluded.
King Charles, 75, briefly attended Windsor but left before the ceremony began as he continues to battle with cancer.
The King was said to be close to his second cousin Constantine – who was the former monarch of Greece.
The service was attended by foreign royal families and other guests.
Constantine was a first cousin once removed and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
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Originally published as ‘Traumatic’: Royal’s cause of death revealed
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