Financier Thomas Kingston, who was married to Lady Gabriella Kingston, 42, was found deceased at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday (25.02.24) evening, but his passing is only now being revealed.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement King Charles, 75 – who is battling an undisclosed form of cancer – and his wife Queen Camilla, 76, have sent their “most heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to Lady Gabriella Kingston and Mr Kingston’s family.
Its statement, released on Tuesday (27.02.24) evening, said in full: “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.”
A separate statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston, Mr Martin and Mrs Jill Kingston, Mrs Joanna Connolly and Mrs Emma Murray added: “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.”
Emergency services were reportedly called to the scene of Thomas’ death just after 6pm on Sunday.
An inquest will be held to establish the cause of death but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved.
Thomas’ shock passing is not believed to be the reason why William, Prince of Wales, 41, pulled out of a memorial service on Tuesday for his godfather King Constantine II, who died in January last year aged 82.
William’s family has also been through hard times after his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, went in for abdominal surgery earlier this year, from which she is still recovering.
When Thomas was born his father-in-law Prince Michael, 81, was seventh in line to the throne.
The prince was a first cousin to the then-Princess Elizabeth, later crowned Queen Elizabeth II, and on his mother’s side he was a first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
