Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince William’s cousin Lady Gabriella Kingston, was found dead at his parents’ home in Gloucestershire, England, on Sunday with a “catastrophic head injury” and a gun present, according to a coroner’s report on Friday. The police do not believe the death was suspicious.
Kingston married Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, in a 2019 ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth II and senior royals. On Tuesday, a statement from King Charles III hailed Kingston as a “much loved member” of the extended royal family.
On February 27, Buckingham Palace announced on behalf of Lady Gabriella and the Kingston family that Thomas Kingston had died at the age of 45.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son, and brother,” they wrote in a statement. “Tom was an excellent man who brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. His death has come as a huge shock to the entire family, and we ask that you respect our privacy while we grieve his passing.”
The cause of death was not disclosed at the time, and the revelation was followed by a statement from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who were photographed with Gabriella and Kingston at the Royal Ascot horse races last summer.
“The King and Queen have been informed of Thomas’s death, and they join Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and all those who knew him in mourning a much-loved member of the family,” they stated.
“In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family.”
On Friday, an official inquest into the death was opened in the county of Gloucestershire, which includes the Kingston family home.
During the inquest, Senior Coroner Katy Skerrett revealed that Kingston died as a result of a “traumatic wound to the head.”
“On February 25, Mr Kingston was visiting his parents’ property in the Cotswolds. He had lunch with his parents, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“His father walked outside to walk the dogs. When he returned, Mr. Kingston was not in the house. After around 30 minutes, his mother started looking for him.
“When he was unable to obtain admission, his father forced his way into an outbuilding. Mr Kingston was discovered inside with a serious head injury. A gun was present on the scene.
“Emergency services have been contacted. The police are satisfied that the death is not suspicious.
So far, Lady Gabriella and other members of the royal family have not issued any more statements regarding Kingston’s death.
Rev. Canon Andrew White, who met Kingston while working for the Foreign Office in Baghdad as a hostage negotiator, praised his bravery.
“I really adored him. “Tom was never scared,” he told The Telegraph. “Whatever I asked him to do, he would do it with a big smile on his face in the middle of a war zone.”