Lady Gabriella breaks silence on husband’s ‘impulsive’ suicide
Lady Gabriella Windsor spoke out for the first time since her husband took his own life earlier this year.
Thomas Kingston died from a gunshot wound to the head on Feb. 25. A weapon was found near his body, which was discovered at his parents home in the Cotswolds.
Thomas was 45.
Lady Gabriella, who is King Charles’ second cousin, addressed his last “impulsive” act in an emotional witness statement read aloud at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court on Dec. 3, according to The Telegraph.
“It appears to me Tom’s impulsive action was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had been taking in the last two weeks of his life,” Lady Gabriella’s statement reportedly read.
Lady Gabriella, who was allegedly sobbing as her words were read, said her husband had never expressed thoughts of suicide during their relationship to her or others, reported Hello!
While she acknowledged that “[work] was certainly a challenge for him over the years,” Thomas’ wife said, “I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved.”
Her statement allegedly continued, “If anything had been troubling him, I’m positive that he would have shared that he was struggling severely. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse.”
Lady Gabriella allegedly believes a bad reaction to his medication was the reason behind him ending his life that fatal day.
“The lack of any evidence of inclination it seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life. I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths,” her witness statement read, per Hello!
She concluded with a powerful message.
“If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone,” Lady Gabriella’s letter stated.
Thomas was reportedly having trouble sleeping and was prescribed zopiclone by Dr. Nicky Naunton Morgan, who is also an apothecary, or pharmacist, to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s household, according to The Telegraph, which was revealed in court.
Lady Gabriella’s husband — who was a financier and former hostage negotiator — was allegedly also taking sertraline for anxiety but stopped for a short period as it reportedly made him “very anxious.” The prescription was later changed to diazepam and citalopram. It was also revealed he allegedly “doubled” his dosage of sleep medication.
The pair were married for four years before he took his life. Thomas had previously dated Kate Middleton’s sister, Pippa, 41.
Buckingham Palace announced his death on Feb. 27.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother,” the royal family’s statement on behalf of Lady Gabriella, Martin and Jill Kingston, Joanna Connolly and Emma Murray read at the time, calling it a “great shock.”
“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.”
Prince William represented the family at Thomas’ private funeral in March. The hourlong service was followed by a private cremation.
The inquest into Thomas’ death is ongoing.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
