A family statement said, “Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him” and “his death has come as a great shock to the whole family”
Thomas Kingston, a British financier who was the husband of Lady Gabriella and former boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, has died at age 45.
A statement released on Tuesday on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray 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.”
A palace spokesperson said that King Charles and Queen Camilla were informed of Kingston’s death.
“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,” the palace spokesperson’s statement said.
Kingston died in Gloucestershire on Sunday, with emergency services called to the scene shortly after 6 p.m. Although the cause of death is undetermined, no suspicious circumstances or other parties are involved.
Kingston worked as a director at Devonport Capital. According to his biography on the company’s website, he has a bachelor’s degree in economic history from Bristol University and previously worked at Schroders and Voltan Capital.
Kingston’s death comes less than five years after his royal wedding to Lady Gabriella, the 42-year-old daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. After announcing their engagement in Sept. 2018, Lady Gabriella and Kingston tied the knot at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019, nearly one year exactly after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at the same location on May 19, 2018.
In a sweet nod to family tradition, the bride wore a Russian Fringe style diamond tiara, which was also worn by her grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and her mother, Princess Michael of Kent, on their wedding days.
The wedding guest list included many members of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth (her father’s first cousin) and Prince Harry (making a surprise appearance just weeks after his son was born).
Kingston previously dated Kate Middleton’s younger sister. Although the pair ended their relationship around 2011, Pippa (who is now married to James Matthews) and Kingston remained friends throughout the years. In fact, Kingston and Lady Gabriella attended Pippa’s May 2017 wedding — and Pippa and her husband returned the favor as guests at Kingston and Lady Gabriella’s nuptials two years later.
On Tuesday morning, Lady Gabriella’s parents attended the service of Thanksgiving at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle honoring King Constantine of Greece. The late King of Greece was a godfather to Lady Gabriella, and she attended his funeral last year on behalf of Prince William, who was also one of Constantine’s godchildren.
Although Prince William dropped out of attending the service on Tuesday due to personal reasons, it’s understood that his absence was not connected to Kingston’s death.
Lady Gabriella, who is currently 56th in the line of succession to the British throne behind her father, older brother and two young nieces, is not a working member of the royal family. She and her elder brother, Lord Frederick Windsor, grew up in an apartment in Kensington Palace and attended events like Trooping the Colour with the rest of the royal family, but she works as a freelance journalist. Ella, as she is known to friends, is also a talented singer. She released two songs in 2020 to benefit the Playing For Change Foundation, a non-profit that promotes positive change through music.
Lady Gabriella and Kingston often joined the royal family at events such as Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. The couple also attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in Sept. 2022.
Lady Gabriella and Kingston made a public appearance with Queen Camilla less than two weeks ago, when they joined her at a Celebration of Shakespeare event on Feb. 14.
