Duchess of Kent's favourite music was not what you'd expect from a royal

The Duchess of Kent has sadly passed away at the age of 92, but she will be remembered for many different reasons. While she spent many years devoted to royal duties and travelling the world to represent Queen Elizabeth II, she had a number of surprising personal interests.

Her love of music was not a secret, as she famously worked as a music teacher in Hull for 13 years and also founded the charity, Future Talent, which gives underprivileged children the chance to expand their musical talents. However, her musical tastes were certainly not what you would expect of a Duchess.

She revealed all in an extremely rare interview back in 2022 to the Telegraph.

Asked who her favourite artists are, she said: "I just love music. Something that catches my ear on the radio - I don't really listen to records. If it makes my feet tap, then I'm happy."

She added: "I'll listen to anything. I even like beatboxing."

The Duchess said that although she cannot remember the names of all of her favourite rappers, she has a particular fondness for both Ice Cube and Eminem.

The Duchess of Kent - who was simply known as Katharine Kent throughout her life - taught music at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull for 13 years while still serving in the Royal Family.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Friday: "It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.

"The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess's life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people."

After a visit to the school in 1996, she offered to help boost the school's arts teaching and her passion project rocketed from there. Speaking to Hull Daily Mail at the time, the Duchess said: "I've studied music all my life, it's my passion. My other passion is children - being able to share and pass on your love of music to children is the greatest privilege a teacher can have."

The then headteacher of the school, Ann Davies, praised her work as she told the BBC: "Her enthusiasm with the children brings out the best in them and thanks to Mrs Kent music is now a strength at the school.

"She is an inspirational music teacher and the children love working with her. They say she never gets cross, she always looks for the positive. I believe that because they are so fond of her, they have done well in music."

As well as founding Future Talent, the Duchess also taught children who lived at Grenfell Tower, many of them losing classmates and family members in the devastating blaze that killed 72 people.