Who is Lady Gabriella Windsor? The royal who fainted on arrival of Queen’s coffin

The royal is the Queen’s second cousin

Joanna Whitehead
Monday 19 September 2022 03:01 EDT
Comments
'A real privilege': Last mourners leave Westminster Hall as lying-in-state ends

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Queen’s five day lying in state has now ended, as the last mourners left Westminster Hall just after 6.30am on Monday morning (19 September).

Thousands of members of the public queued for up to 24 hours to say farewell to the late monarch, with famous faces including David Beckham and Susanna Reid among those spotted in attendance.

The arrival of the Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall on Thursday 15 September prompted a small commotion, however, distracting some members of the royal family.

Footage from the event shows Lady Gabriella Windsor appearing to collapse, with her husband, Thomas Kingston, turning around to help his wife as staff members rushed to assist them.

But who is Lady Gabriella Windsor and what is her relationship to the Queen?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Who is Lady Gabriella Windsor?

Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston on their wedding day in 2019
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston on their wedding day in 2019 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Lady Gabriella Kingston is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and is the Queen’s second cousin.

Born on 23 April 1981, the 41-year-old is 55th in the line of succession to the British throne, but was 18th in line at her birth.

She was educated at Downe House School in Berkshire, an independent boarding school for girls, before studying for a BA in comparative literature and Hispanic studies at Brown University in the US.

In 2012, she went on to earn an MPhil degree in social anthropology from Linacre College, Oxford.

She currently works as a freelance journalist, contributing to The London Magazine, among other publications.

She is also a board director of the Playing for Change Foundation, a global music and arts education non-profit.

Additionally, she has worked on projects in Latin America, including teaching English in Rio de Janeiro and working on music events in Buenos Aires.

In 2020, as a singer-songwriter, she released two songs to raise money for the Playing for Change Foundation.

She is married to financier Thomas Henry Robin Kingston. The two were married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 18 May 2019.

For the ceremony, Lady Gabriella Kingston wore a gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria and the Kent City of London Fringe Tiara, which was once worn by her grandmother, Princess Marina of Kent.

How is Lady Gabriella Windsor related to the Queen?

Lady Gabriella Kingston with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent in 2010
Lady Gabriella Kingston with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent in 2010 (Getty Images)

Lady Gabriella is the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, the first cousin of the Queen.

Lady Gabriella is currently 55th in line to the throne, behind her niece, Isabella Windsor.

The royal enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, as she was one of the guests at her wedding in 2019.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in