Princes William and Harry's 20-year-old cousin found dead in family home with firearm nearby
NORTON, WILTSHIRE: The British royal family has been struck by a major tragedy as a young cousin of princes William and Harry has died at 20 years old.
Rosie Roche, who was the granddaughter of Princess Diana’s uncle, which makes her William and Harry’s second cousin, was found dead at her family's home in Norton, Wiltshire, on Monday, July 14.
Rosie Roche’s death deemed ‘non-suspicious’
Roche’s body was found by her mother and sister after she began packing for a vacation with friends. A firearm was also found close by inside the property, according to a report by the Sun.
A coroner in Wiltshire and Swindon has opened an investigation, which has been adjourned until October 25.
Notably, Coroner Grant Davies stated that police "have deemed the death as non-suspicious and there was no third-party involvement."
Roche was pursuing a degree in English Literature at Durham University. She was a scion of the Barons Fermoy and the eldest child of (Edmund) Hugh Burke Roche, 53, and his wife, the former Phillipa Kate Victoria Long.
An obituary published by the Yorkshire Post said, “Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, Granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.”
"Private family funeral. A memorial service will be held at a later date," the obituary continued.
A spokeswoman also told The Sun that the royal family's cousin "will be sorely missed."
Rosie Roche’s death follows another tragedy in royal family
Rosie Roche’s death at the age of 20 isn’t the only tragedy the royal family has suffered in recent years. The family faced another major heartbreak in February 2024 when Thomas Kingston, the ex-boyfriend of Kate Middleton’s younger sister, Pippa, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 45-year-old husband of Lady Gabriella was found dead from a “catastrophic head injury,” with a gun found nearby, at his parents’ home in a Cotswolds village in England.
Buckingham Palace honoured his life in a statement that read, “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 December, Lady Gabriella broke her silence for the first time during an inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court, revealing the circumstances of her husband's death.
The 43-year-old Lady Gabriella stated in an emotional statement that she believes her husband’s “impulsive action” was likely influenced by medication he had been taking in the weeks before his death.
