An inquest into the death of royal family member Thomas Kingston has begun following a statement from King Charles III.
It was announced on Tuesday (February 27) that Kingston, a British financier who was married to Lady Gabriella Windsor since May 2019, suddenly died at age 45 in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire.
The director of Devonport Capital's 42-year-old wife is the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, the late Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin - the latter of whom attended the couple's wedding at St George's Chapel before she passed away in September 2022.
Kingston was also a close friend of Pippa Middleton, Princess Catherine's sister, with the pair seen out and about together on several occasions. He even attended her wedding to James Matthews in May 2017, accompanied by Lady Gabriella.
According to Sky News, Gloucestershire Police previously said police officers were called to the address Kingston was found at by an ambulance crew just before 6.30PM. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner," a spokesperson for the force added.
Lady Gabriella, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly, and Emma Murray have now released a heartbreaking statement regarding Thomas' death, which read: "It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son, and brother," as cited by 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," they added.
Buckingham Palace was also informed about the equity analyst's passing and released a statement via a palace spokesperson: "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," they concluded.
Kingston's shocking death is now under investigation, as reported by the BBC.
"Please be advised that HM senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Ms Katy Skerrett, will conduct the opening of the inquest into the death of Mr. Thomas Henry Robin Kingston at 2PM Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court," a court official told Us Weekly.
No funeral plans have been publicly released so far.
