12 MARCH 2004
For the past decade, the Duchess of Kent, who is married to the Queen’s first cousin, has been teaching music at schools in London and northern England, unbeknown to the general public. The Duchess’ vocational activities are revealed in a BBC1 documentary due to be broadcast on Monday.

Officially a supply teacher, the Catholic Duchess, known to her pupils as Mrs Kent or Katharine, instructs in piano and singing at an inner-city school in London, as well as making a 400-mile trip each week to a primary school in Hull.

“I’ve studied music all my life, it’s my passion,” explains the 71-year-old Duchess in the documentary. “My other passion is children. Being able to share and pass on your love of music to children is the greatest privilege.”

The Duchess, mother of three children, has a modest flat in Notting Hill but also shares an apartment with her husband at Kensington Palace. Her decision to purchase her own home in order to lead a very un-royal life has lead to speculation over the state of her marriage, but friends say the couple get on well and that: “She just wants to be an ordinary human being without any fuss.”