Coroner Rules Thomas Kingston’s Death Self-Inflicted, Wife Suggests Medication Reaction

Lady Gabriella Kingston has stated that her husband’s death was “likely provoked” by an adverse reaction to medication, following a coroner’s conclusion that he died by suicide. Thomas Kingston, who was married to Lady Gabriella, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, sustained a fatal head injury at his parents’ residence in the Cotswolds on February 25. A firearm was discovered in close proximity to his remains. During the inquest into his passing, it was revealed that Mr. Kingston had ceased taking his prescribed medication in the period immediately preceding his death. “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,” Lady Gabriella said. On Tuesday at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court, Lady Gabriella issued a caution regarding the potential effects of medications prescribed for mental health conditions. In a statement delivered by Katy Skerrett, the senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Lady Gabriella asserted, “I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths.” She further added, “If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone.” The inquest heard that Mr. Kingston, a 45-year-old financier, had initially received prescriptions for sertraline, a medication for depression, and zopiclone, a sleeping aid, from a general practitioner at the Royal Mews Surgery. This facility, located at Buckingham Palace, serves royal household staff. His initial consultation followed complaints of sleep difficulties attributed to work-related stress. Mr. Kingston subsequently revisited the surgery, reporting no improvement in his condition, prompting his doctor to switch his medication from sertraline to citalopram, a comparable pharmaceutical. It was disclosed during the inquest that Mr. Kingston discontinued his medication in the days immediately preceding his death. Lady Gabriella commented, “(Work) was certainly a challenge for him over the years but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved.” She added, “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 characterized her marriage as “deeply loving and trusting” and affirmed that her husband had never communicated any suicidal ideations. In delivering a narrative conclusion, Ms. Skerrett determined that Mr. Kingston had died by suicide, further stating: “The evidence of his wife, family and business partner all supports his lack of suicidal intent.“He was suffering adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed.” For individuals affected by the themes presented in this report, support resources are accessible at bbc.co.uk/actionline. BBC Gloucestershire can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.