Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, has died suddenly aged 45, Buckingham Palace has announced tonight.
Mr Kingston, who married the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent in 2019, was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening and emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 6pm.
Only last Wednesday, the couple had been seen together at an event at the National Gallery in London.
Lady Gabriella paid tribute to her financier husband in a joint statement with his family, describing him as an ‘exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him’. His tragic death was described as a ‘great shock to the whole family’.
An inquest will be held to establish the cause of death but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved.
Lady Gabriella, who is not a working member of the Royal Family, released a personal photo she took of her husband, showing him smiling and dressed in a casual pink shirt as he stood near a stretch of water in the sunshine.
A statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella and Mr Kingston’s family 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.’
King Charles and Queen Camilla have sent their ‘most heartfelt thoughts and prayers’ to Lady Kingston and Mr Kingston’s family.
Lady Gabriella Windsor’s husband Thomas Kingston (pictured together) has died aged 45, Buckingham Palace has announced
The tragic last photo of Thomas Kingston and his wife Lady Gabriella Windsor, taken at event in London on Valentines Day
(L-R) Queen Camilla, King Charles, Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Windsor are pictured watching the races at Ascot last summer
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella’s parents, both attended a memorial service today for King Constantine of Greece
Mr Kingston is the son-in-law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
Thomas Kingston (L) and Lady Gabriella Windsor smile after their wedding ceremony, at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019
Thomas Kingston was close friends with Pippa Middleton, the Princess of Wales’ sister. They are pictured here at Cheltenham Festival in 2013
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.’
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella’s parents, both attended a memorial service at St George’s Chapel today for King Constantine of Greece.
Prince Michael was first cousins with the late Queen Elizabeth through their fathers.
It’s understood that Prince William’s absence from the memorial today was not linked to Mr Kingston’s death.
Kensington Palace had revealed earlier in the day that the Prince of Wales had pulled out of the memorial service due to a personal matter.
Lady Gabriella, known as Ella to her friends, and her late husband tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2019.
The wedding reception was held at Frogmore House, the former residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Lady Gabriella, who has worked as an arts and travel director for a brand company, is a writer and contributing editor.
She is also a singer-songwriter and released two bossa-nova inspired tracks in 2020 to raise money for charity.
Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the royal family, she and Mr Kingston’s family are being supported by the Royal Household through this difficult time.
No funeral plans have been released so far.
Mr Kingston, known as Tom, had been the director of Devonport Capital since 2017.
But the Bristol University graduate also spent time in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office.
He had countless narrow escapes in three action-packed years in the Iraqi capital, including escaping a suicide-bombing that claimed 22 lives.
Mr Kingston (pictured with Lady Gabriella Kingston), 45, was found deceased at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening
Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor are pictured at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in July 2019
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston are pictured at Royal Ascot in June last year
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston attended the late Queen’s state funeral in September 2022
The couple were pictured at a Thanksgiving service for the late Prince Philip in March 2023 (left) and at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 (right)
His financial career credentials also included roles at Voltan Capital Management and IDC Securities.
Mr Kingston was a close friend of Pippa Middleton, the Princess of Wales’ sister, who he was often seen out and about with.
In fact, the pair were said to have struck up a romance in 2011, following the end of Ms Middleton’s relationship with cricketer Alex Loudon – but he denied they ever dated.
After the rumoured romance fizzled out, he remained a regular part of Ms Middleton’s social set and the pair remained friends.
A friend of Ms Middleton previously told Daily Mail’s Richard Kay: ‘Tom is utterly charming, polite and very popular with the ladies. In fact, he is just the kind of guy you would want to introduce to your mother.’
Mr Kingston was always someone who flitted discreetly in and around royal circles. He also dated Natalie Hicks-Lobbecke, an old flame of Prince William whom he dated while working in Iraq.
Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor share a kiss on the steps of the chapel after their wedding at St George’s Chapel
The couple were seen beaming at one another at the wedding in Windsor on May 18, 2019
Mr Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor posed on the steps of the chapel with their bridesmaids, page boys and guests after their wedding
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston attend a memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey on March 29, 2022
Mr Kingston, known as Tom, had been the director of Devonport Capital since 2017
Lady Gabirella Windsor and Thomas Kingston attend Bosphorus private book launch at Maison Assouline on December 14, 2017
The couple are seen dressing up at a Jungle Party at Annabel’s in London on September 28, 2018
Thomas Kingston is pictured with Pippa Middleton in 2014
He and Ms Hicks-Lobbecke, who is now married to baronet’s son Ed Milbank, met when both were at Bristol University.
One close friend previously told the Mail: ‘Tom’s great achievement is that none of his old girlfriends have anything but nice things to say about him. Even when it’s all over, they still like him.
‘In old-fashioned terms, he is a gentleman, just the kind of guy you want to introduce to your mother.’
A male friend also said: ‘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.’
The shock news of Mr Kingston’s death comes as members of the Royal Family attended a thanksgiving service for the late King Constantine.
Queen Camilla led the Royal Family in the absence of her husband, King Charles, who is taking a break from royal duties as he battles cancer.
Prince William, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were also absent from the service – but Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson did attend.
King Charles was at Windsor Castle earlier in the day but left before the service began – with the reception afterwards set to be hosted by Camilla.
Charles had a close friendship with Constantine, choosing him as a godfather for his son William, now the Prince of Wales.
The former king was also godfather to Lady Gabriella Kingston.
Her parents, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, put on brave faces today as they attended the memorial for Constantine. It came less than 48 hours after their son-in-law was found dead.
