Thomas Kingston: the remarkable life of the ‘relentlessly optimistic’ royal found dead at 45

Kingston’s sudden and tragic death has sent shockwaves through his family and the royal circles. The 45-year-old was found deceased at his parents’ residence in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening, with a severe head injury. According to the senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Katy Skerrett, Kingston had lunch with his parents before they went for a walk, and his body was discovered by his father upon their return in an outbuilding, along with a gun at the scene.

Sources close to the couple have revealed that they were not known to have any relationship or financial difficulties, leaving many perplexed about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Friends have described Kingston as a mentally stable and physically fit individual, making his death even more unexpected.

While Kingston was married to Lady Gabriella Windsor, a non-working royal, he maintained a relatively low profile and stayed removed from the frontline royal life. This tragic event has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the royal family and raised numerous questions about what could have led to such a devastating outcome.

The life of Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, is more intriguing than widely known.

Royal connections: Before marrying into the royal family, Kingston had links to the royals through alleged past relationships. He reportedly dated Pippa Middleton around the time of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011, as well as one of Prince William’s rumored ex-girlfriends.

Non-royal background: Despite his royal connections, Kingston did not come from a noble background. He was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, to parents William Martin Kingston and Jill Mary Kingston (née Bache). His family is believed to have descended from Cheshire butchers and farmers.

Education and career: Kingston attended a state secondary school and later graduated from the University of Bristol. While his profession is in finance, he also spent time working in hostage negotiation and conflict resolution in Iraq during the war.

Early royal circles: Like many who marry into the royal family, Kingston moved in royal circles from an early age, likely through friends-of-friends connections.

Kingston’s life story highlights his diverse experiences and connections, ranging from his non-royal upbringing to his alleged relationships with members of the royal circle, and his unique career path that included work in conflict resolution.

The story of Thomas Kingston’s connections to the British royal family is an intriguing one. It all began in Gloucestershire, where he found himself in the outer circle of the royals. During his time there, he reportedly dated Natalie Hicks-Lobbecke, a fellow Bristol University graduate who was part of the Gloucestershire-based ‘Beaufort Polo Club set’ along with Prince William and Prince Harry. Hicks-Lobbecke and Prince William sparked dating rumors in July 2000 when they were photographed laughing together at a polo match, though both denied any romantic involvement at the time.

Kingston’s second brush with near-royal romance came in 2011, when he was rumored to be dating Pippa Middleton around the time of Kate and William’s royal wedding. Despite any potential romantic entanglements, Kingston and Pippa Middleton have remained close friends over the years. They have attended each other’s weddings, with Kingston present at Middleton’s marriage to James Matthews in 2017, and Middleton in attendance at Kingston’s royal wedding to Lady Gabriella in 2019. The two have been photographed enjoying each other’s company on numerous occasions, showcasing the enduring nature of their friendship.

Tom Kingston’s career path is quite remarkable. After graduating from Bristol University with a degree in economic history, he initially worked as a chartered financial analyst, equity analyst, and director of capital firms for around 17 years, leveraging his academic background. However, he took an intriguing detour by joining the diplomatic missions unit of the Foreign Office in Iraq.

In this role, based in Baghdad, Kingston gained valuable experience in hostage negotiation and conflict resolution. According to reports, he utilized his “relentless optimism” to facilitate the release of hostages and mediate disputes between Iraq’s diverse ethnic, religious, and tribal factions embroiled in conflict.

In 2004, Kingston narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation when a suicide bombing claimed the lives of 22 people at the only Anglican church in Iraq. Reverend Canon Andrew White, known as the “Vicar of Baghdad” for his decade-long service at the Anglican church in Iraq and a survivor of the bombing, praised Kingston as an “exceptional young man” with the ability to “make things happen.”

Kingston’s transition to this line of work resonates with those who knew him well, as he was described as a “very, very, very” committed Christian. During his university days, he was even nicknamed “Christian Tom,” reflecting his deep-rooted faith.

Tom Kingston was a remarkable individual who left a lasting impact on those he worked with. Canon Andrew, who had the privilege of working alongside Tom, spoke highly of his fierce determination, insightful understanding of human nature, and ability to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

During their time together in war-torn regions, Canon Andrew and Tom faced numerous life-threatening situations, including suicide bomb attacks and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts. Despite the constant danger, Tom remained fearless and approached every task with unwavering resolve and a positive attitude.

Prior to his tragic demise, Tom had developed a reputation as a talented young diplomat and a devout Christian during his time at the Iraqi Institute of Peace from 2003 to 2006. He worked tirelessly to help Iraqi Christians rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s oppressive regime.

Tom’s remarkable resilience, compassion, and dedication to his work left a profound impact on those around him, and his legacy continues to inspire others.

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Kingston then transitioned back into the finance sector, initially working as an equity analyst for Schroders, a global asset management firm. He later served as the managing director of Voltan Capital Management until 2017. Subsequently, Kingston became a managing director at Devonport Capital, a financial firm founded by former City lawyer Paul Bailey, who had previously run a “boutique investment firm” in Iraq. The business, of which Kingston was a co-owner at the time of his death, proved successful and was not known to be facing any financial difficulties.

Regarding his entry into the royal family, Kingston’s widow, Lady Gabriella, is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, and his wife Princess Michael of Kent. While they are considered relatively minor royals, Prince Michael’s first cousin status provides an indelible link to Queen Elizabeth, keeping the Michaels in the public eye, even when they may prefer privacy.

The royal family has faced its share of controversies and scandals over the years. One notable incident involved Princess Michael of Kent, known as “Princess Pushy,” who sparked outrage when she wore a “blackamoor” brooch featuring a black bust while meeting Meghan Markle for the first time. Although she apologized, claiming it was unintentional, the incident was widely criticized as racially insensitive.

Another scandal emerged in 2018 when Lady Gabriella Windsor’s ex-boyfriend, Aatish Taseer, published a controversial article in Vanity Fair. In the article, Taseer alleged that they had taken MDMA in royal residences and swam naked in the Queen’s pool at Buckingham Palace. He also claimed that Princess Michael had made racially insensitive remarks, further tarnishing her public image.

These incidents have shed light on the need for greater cultural sensitivity and awareness within the royal family, as their actions and statements can have far-reaching consequences and impact public perception.

Kingston’s entry into public life occurred in 2019 when his proposal to Lady Gabriella on the Isle of Sark, where his family owns a holiday home, made headlines in 2018. The couple had been dating since 2015 after being introduced by mutual friends. Their wedding took place in May 2019 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, attended by the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, Pippa Middleton, Julian Fellowes, and Sophie Winkleman, among others. Prince William was absent due to his FA Cup duties. The newlyweds celebrated at Frogmore Cottage, the same venue as Harry and Meghan’s wedding reception.

The Kingstons, a seemingly happy couple, had been making public appearances regularly, with their last one being earlier this month at a celebration of Shakespeare’s work in London. Close friends described them as appearing “happy and positive,” with no signs of trouble. However, the recent discovery of Kingston’s body at his parents’ home in Gloucestershire has sent shockwaves through his family and the wider community.

The news has left Kingston’s closest friends and acquaintances in utter shock and disbelief. Lord Frederick Windsor, Lady Gabriella’s brother, is reported to have informed Kingston’s best men about the tragic incident. One close acquaintance expressed their devastation, describing Kingston as “kind, charming and thoroughly decent and one of the last true English gentlemen.” The situation has been deemed “beyond tragic” and difficult to comprehend for those who knew him.

This unexpected turn of events has deeply impacted Kingston’s loved ones, who had no inkling of any underlying issues within the seemingly content marriage. The incident has left many grappling with the loss of a man widely regarded as a true English gentleman.

The local sub post-master provided insights into the family’s standing within the community. They are described as a gentle and involved family, actively contributing to the village and church activities. Thomas, in particular, is remembered as a frequent visitor to the local shop, exhibiting a gentle demeanor reminiscent of his father. The news has deeply impacted the community, leaving them in a state of shock and sadness over this recent and tragic event. The family’s deep-rooted connections and positive influence within the local community have made this loss all the more devastating.