Princess Michael Speaks About Son-in-Law Thomas Kingston's Sudden Death: 'We Never Had an Inkling Anything Was Wrong'

12/19/2024 01:17 PM

"Tom was a lovely man, so kind and thoughtful. They were very happy together," she said about Kingston's marriage to her daughter Lady Gabriella

Princess Michael of Kent is opening up for the first time about the unexpected death of her son-in-law, Thomas Kingston, who died in February at age 45.

On Dec. 17, Princess Michael, 79, broke her silence surrounding the death of her son-in-law in a new interview with Majesty Magazine. Princess Michael's family navigated tragedy when her daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor's husband Kingston died earlier this year. A spokesperson for the coroner's office previously told PEOPLE that his cause of death was "traumatic wound to the head," and a gun was found near his body.

"Tom was a lovely man, so kind and thoughtful. They were very happy together," Princess Michael told Majesty Magazine,Tatlerreported.

"We often had them here with Freddie and Sophie and the girls for Sunday lunch," she continued, referencing her son, Lord Frederick Windsor, his wife, Sophie Winkelman and their two young daughters. 

Related: Who Is Thomas Kingston? All About Lady Gabriella's Husband, Found Dead at 45

Princess Michael (born Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnit) is married to Queen Elizabeth's first cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, and the royal couple are parents to Lady Gabriella, 43, and Lord Frederick, 45. The family expanded when Lady Gabriella married Kingston, a financier, former hostage negotiator and onetime boyfriend of Kate Middleton's sister Pippa Middleton, in May 2019, and Princess Michael said his sudden death was a shock.

"We never had an inkling anything was wrong," she told Majesty Magazine, according to Tatler. The outlet said that the family has rallied to be there for Gabriella through the grief, which has been challenging for the whole family, with Princess Michael calling Frederick and Sophie an especially strong support. 

On Feb. 27, Kingston's death was announced in a statement attributed to Lady Gabriella and several of his family members.

"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," the statement said. 

Related: Meet the British Royal Family: A Complete Guide to the Modern Monarchy

A palace spokesperson confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla were informed of Kingston's death, and it emerged that he died on Feb. 25 at his parents' home in the Cotswolds.

No suspicious circumstances or other parties were thought to have been involved, and a spokesperson for the coroner's official later told PEOPLE his cause of death was "traumatic wound to the head." 

Katy Skerrett, the senior coroner for Gloucestershire, said Kingston had lunch with his parents at their home that Sunday before his father took their dogs on a walk, The Telegraphreported. His body was later found in an outbuilding with a gun nearby.

Prince William attended Kingston's private funeral in March, and theDaily Mailreported in April that Lady Gabriella moved back in with her parents at Kensington Palace.

On Dec. 3, Gabriella made an emotional appearance during an inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court, further illuminating the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. There, Gabriella alleged that her husband's "impulsive" death was an "adverse reaction" to medication he was taking for insomnia and anxiety. 

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"It appears to me Tom's impulsive action was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had been taking in the last two weeks of his life," Lady Gabriella said in a witness statement read in court, The Telegraph reported.

Gabriella, who sobbed during some of the hearing, described her marriage as one of deep love and trust, emphasizing that her husband had never expressed any suicidal thoughts to her or to others, according toHello!.

"[Work] was certainly a challenge for him over the years, but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved," her witness statement continued, the outlet said. "If anything had been troubling him, I'm positive that he would have shared that he was struggling severely. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse." 

She added that with "the lack of any evidence of inclination it seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life. I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone." 

Lady Gabriella alleged that her husband had been affected by the the suicide of a friend and the "devastating impact it had on other people's loved ones." 

The inquest into Kingston's death is ongoing.

Though Gabriella and her brother Frederick are not full-time working royals, they often attend the royal family's social and ceremonial events alongside their parents. On Dec. 6, Lady Gabriella attended Princess Kate's Together at Christmascarol service at Westminster Abbey, and walked in alongside Princess Kate's mom, Carole Middleton, seemingly in a show of support.

On Dec. 19, Prince and Princess Michael were seen heading to King Charles' private family lunch at Buckingham Palace before Christmas, which both of their children reportedly attended.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.