How Thomas Kingston's Christian faith took him to Iraq where he saved countless ... trends now

Reverend Canon Andrew White, the 'Vicar of Baghdad' and close friend of Thomas Kingston has paid tribute to his 'best ever intern' following his death aged 45. 

The sudden death of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's son-in-law has left the Royal Family and friends in a state of deep shock. 

Tributes have been paid to the financer — an 'exceptional man' who survived a suicide bombing in Baghdad and negotiated with bloodthirsty militias for the release of hostages in Iraq, saving countless lives.

He was found dead at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening, with emergency services called to the scene shortly after 6pm. 

Reverend White, who for more than ten years presided over the only Anglican church in Iraq, worked very closely with Kingston during his time in Baghdad. 

He paid tribute to Kingston, his 'best ever intern' and said: 'He worked with me in Iraq through the worst of the Iraqi war. He was a great man of deep faith and wisdom. I know for sure he is now in glory.' 

An inquest will be held but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved. Mr Kingston is survived by his father Martin Kingston KC, his mother Jill Mary Kingston, and his sisters, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray.

The word incredible doesn't seem to do justice when it comes to describing some of Kingston's experiences in a life that was truly well-lived.

Not a member of the aristocracy, his family came from more humble beginnings - one of his ancestors was a former ambassador to Denmark and a great-grandfather who was thrice mayor of Walsall in the West Midlands.

His father, educated at a secondary modern school, was a self-made man after becoming a hugely successful barrister specialising in planning law.

Kingston himself would graduate from Bristol University with a bachelor's in economic history, a degree he would put to good use in his careers.

Serving in the diplomatic missions unit of the Foreign Office in Baghdad, Kingston had countless brushes with death, including escaping a suicide-bombing that claimed 22 lives. 

Speaking to the Mail in an interview at the time, Reverend White recalled Kingston as 'an exceptional young man' who 'makes things happen'. His great strength, he said, was to 'see beyond the impossible'. 

Like the priest with whom he shared a strong faith, Kingston was also an 'adrenaline junkie'. He helped with his ministry, which built up a following of 6,500 worshippers.

While some were drawn to Iraq for business, for Kingston the lure of Baghdad was far more personal.

He was instead driven by a strong faith instilled in him by his parents - his father was elected to the General Synod of the Church of England and his mother a trustee of a Christian healing centre in Cirencester. 

Sent to Baghdad, he was seconded as a project manager for the International Centre for Reconciliation, which is based at Coventry Cathedral, to mediate in disputes between political, religious and tribal leaders and to negotiate the release of hostages. 

His work with Canon White, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, helped maintain the Anglican Church in Baghdad, which was established in 1990.

Both men were in the church when it was targeted in a suicide-bomb attack in 2004.

They had walked in just before the blast, which killed two of the congregation and 20 others.

Lady Gabriella, 42, who is 56th in line to the throne, and Mr Kingston were married for nearly five years, having tied the knot at St George's Chapel at Windsor in May 2019.

One friend who spoke to the couple at a party last Wednesday at the National Gallery in London said: 'They seemed happy and positive as ever. Ella was particularly chatty.' 

Another close friend, who attended the couple's stunning wedding, added: 'It's utterly shocking. None of us saw it coming. I cannot understand it.' 

Kingston had always discreetly flittered in and around royal circles before his marriage to Lady Windsor, with women attracted to his languid confidence.

He married into the Roya family in May 2019, in a stunning occasion. In attendance were the late Queen and late Duke of Edinburgh, with Harry leaving wife Meghan and then newborn son Archie at home to attend the ceremony.

Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor's subsequent marriage was a seemingly happy one, with the couple often joining each other at social events and royal gatherings.

He accompanied his wife to the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022, whom she was very close with.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it was called by the ambulance service about the death of Mr Kingston at 6.25pm on Sunday. They added: 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.'

Mr Kingston and Lady Gabriella were last pictured together on Valentine's Day at an event to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio attended by Queen Camilla.

Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace said it was supporting Mr Kingston's devastated family.

It last night stepped in to announce the news on their behalf and released two photographs that Lady Gabriella and her husband's relatives were keen to share in tribute to the man they described as being 'exceptional' and someone who 'lit up the lives of all that knew him'.

In a statement, a spokesman for Their Majesties 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'.

A second statement released by the Palace on behalf of Lady Gabriella, Thomas's parents and his sisters, read: '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 – known as Ella to

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