Katharine, Duchess of Kent was born on 22 February 1933, the youngest child and only daughter of the late Sir William Worsley.

Her father, the fourth Baronet, captained the Yorkshire Cricket Club Team, was President of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) and was for 14 years Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire.

She grew up at the family home, Hovingham Hall near York, where the Worsleys have lived since the early eighteenth century.

Her mother, Joyce Morgan Brunner, was the daughter of Sir John Brunner - the founder of Brunner Mond, which was to become ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries). Her uncle married the grand-daughter of the famous 18th century actor, Sir Henry Irving.