Shock royal death
Paying our respects to Lady Gabriella Kingston's husband, Thomas
Hi Royal Clubbers,
We are still digesting the news that Lady Gabriella Kingston's husband, Thomas Kingston, has passed away suddenly aged 45.
It was a huge shock to open the email from Buckingham Palace yesterday and to see the joint statement from Gabriella, Thomas' parents Martin and Jill Kingston, and Thomas' sisters, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray.
"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."
Tom, as he was known by his friends and family, was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire, UK on Sunday evening. Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed in a statement that it was called by the ambulance service at 6:25pm, with a report of the death of a 45-year-old man.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner," the statement continued.
Thomas, a financier who worked at Devonport Capital, was married to Lady Gabriella – the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (Prince Michael of Kent is King Charles' second cousin).
The couple dated for four years before Thomas proposed to Gabriella on the island of Sark in August 2018.
"I'm very happy to be with someone very special," Lady Gabriella told HELLO! after they had been dating for two years. "I'm very lucky."
The couple married in May 2019 in a noon ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle – the same venue where Prince Harry and Meghan, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, tied the knot the year prior.
As well as members of the British royal family, including the late Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh, other high-profile guests in attendance included Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, Princess Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton, and Kate's siblings Pippa and James, who were joined by their partners. Pippa was good friends with Thomas and is said to have dated the financier briefly.
A Chartered Financial Analyst, Thomas' career focused on emerging markets and investment management. He graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Economic History before joining the Foreign Office, where he worked in the Diplomatic Missions Unit.
For almost three years, Thomas worked in Baghdad as a project officer for the Iraqi Institute of Peace to mediate conflicts in Iraq, and even helped negotiate the release of hostages.
In 2006, he moved to the Equities team of Schroder's Asset Management in London. Six years later, Thomas joined Voltan Capital Management, before being recruited as a Director at Devonport Capital.
Thomas was well liked by the British royals. King Charles and Queen Camilla called him a "much-loved member" of their family and sent their "most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family".
Although he was on the periphery of The Firm, Thomas did make occasional high-profile appearances with Gabriella, including attending Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, the thanksgiving service for Prince Philip, and the committal service for the late Queen.