British financier Thomas Kingston has died at the age of 45, according to a family statement released Tuesday. Kingston was the husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, a great-granddaughter to King George VI and the second cousin of King Charles III.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother,” read the statement released on behalf of Lady Gabriella, Thomas’ parents Jill and Martin Kingston, and his sisters, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray, per People. “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 magazine added that emergency services were called at 6 p.m. Sunday to the Gloucestershire home shared by Gabriella and Thomas.
Buckingham Palace also released a statement of condolence on behalf of the king and Queen Camilla. “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,” it read. “In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family.”
Kingston initially came to prominence in royal circles as a boyfriend of Pippa Matthews, the younger sister of Kate Middleton, though they ended their relationship in 2011. In May 2019, Gabriella and Thomas were married at a ceremony at St George’s Chapel. The couple often appeared in the royal box at public events like the Wimbledon tournament, Royal Ascot, and Queen Elizabeth II’s 2022 Platinum Jubilee.
Gabriella’s parents, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, were in attendance at a memorial service for King Constantine II of Greece in Windsor Tuesday morning. Prince William had originally planned to attend, but canceled his appearance due to “personal matter.” Constantine was the godfather of both William and Gabriella, and when he died in January 2023, Gabriella attended the Athens funeral as William’s representative.