The only Kennedy to be buried in England

Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy is the only Kennedy to be buried in England. Her story is remarkable as you will see.

She had first come to London in 1938 with her family. Her father Joseph was ambassador to Britain.

She was a popular debutante and well-liked. Eventually, she met
William Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington—the 10th Duke of Devonshire’s son and heir.

His family home was the palatial Chatsworth House estate.

It was a wartime romance. They were very much in love despite being of different faiths.

They were married on May 6, 1944 in a civil ceremony that Kathleen’s brother Joseph attended, the only family member to do so!

The young couple were only together for five weeks before her husband’s Coldstream Guards regiment was ordered to France.

Tragically three months later, he was killed in Belgium. And then tragedy struck again. Only one month later Joseph Jr., Kathleen's elder brother was killed in active service.

She remained in England and in 1946 she met another British aristocrat named Peter Fitzwilliam the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam.

They intended to marry but on their way to the South of France in May 1948, their small plane crashed, killing both of them.

Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish is buried in the Cavendish family plot. There is a plaque noting JFK’s June 1963 visit just months before his own death.

The present Dowager Duchess says of Kathleen, whom she knew: “She was the most popular girl of her generation.”

She is fondly remembered by all who knew her and many people today visit her grave and remember her too, myself among them.