Lady Gabriella Windsor's husband Thomas Kingston cause of death announced

01 March 2024 , 14:09

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Thomas Kingston tragically died at an address in Gloucestershire last week (Image: Getty Images)

The cause of death of a member of the Royal Family found dead in a house in Gloucestershire has been revealed at the opening of his inquest.

Thomas Kingston, the 45-year-old husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, died from traumatic head wound and a gun was found near to his body in an outbuilding at his parents home in the Cotswolds, an inquest opening at Gloucestershire Coroners Court heard. Buckingham Palace announced the bombshell news on Tuesday evening (February 27) , and confirmed that Mr Kingston was found deceased at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday (February 25).

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 6pm. The former hostage negotiator and financier's parents Martin and Jill Kingston had lived at the mansion since 1996. Senior coroner Katy Skerrett revealed that his parents went to look for him after he disappeared from their house. Martin tragically found his son dead after he forced his way into a locked out building.

Thomas sadly passed away at the age of 45 (Getty Images)

Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor pictured for the last time in public (Alpha Press)

Skerrett explained the moments leading up to his death and said: “Mr Kingston was visiting his parents’ home in the Cotswolds. On February 25 2024 he ate lunch with his parents. His father went out to walk the dogs. On his return Mr Kingston was not in the house and after approximately 30 minutes his mother went to look for him. His father forced entry on a locked out building when no reply could be gained. He found Mr Kingston deceased with a catastrophic head injury. A gun was present at the scene. Emergency services were called. Police are satisfied the death is not suspicious.

“A post mortem has been undertaken by Dr Jones, a consultant histopathologist, and a provisional cause of death has been given as 1a traumatic wound to head. Having been satisfied with identification, initial cause of death and the brief circumstances surrounding Mr Kingston’s death, I can formally open this inquest. I now adjourn it to a date to be fixed. That concludes the opening of the inquest into the death of Thomas Henry Robin Kingston.”

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Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston tied the knot at St George's Chapel in 2019 (Getty Images)

No members of the Kingston family were present although an official from the royal household attended, as did several members of the media. A statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston, Mr Martin and Mrs Jill Kingston, Mrs Joanna Connolly and Mrs Emma Murray said: “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.”

Lady Gabriella released a photograph she captured of her husband, showing him smiling and dressed in a casual pink shirt as he stood near a stretch of water in the sunshine. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson earlier issued a statement and said:“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.”

Mr Kingston was close friends with Pippa Matthews (Getty Images)

The Bristol University graduate had also worked in Baghdad, Iraq, working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office. He was a close friend of Pippa Matthews – the Princess of Wales’s sister – and the pair were said to have dated in 2011. Mr Kingston was a director of Devonport Capital, which specialises in providing finance for companies in “frontier economies”.

Lady Gabriella is the King’s second cousin. They are both great-grandchildren of King George V.ho has worked as an arts and travel director for a brand company, is a writer and contributing editor. She is also a singer-songwriter and released two bossa nova-inspired tracks in 2020 to raise money for charity. Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the royal family, she and Mr Kingston’s family are being supported by the royal household. No funeral plans have been released at this time.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

Matt Clemenson