Prince Harry and William’s Cousin, 20, Found Dead at Family Home With Firearm Nearby: Report
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of death and suicide that some readers may find distressing.
Prince Harry and Prince William's 20-year-old cousin, Rosie Roche, was recently found dead at a property in Norton, near Malmesbury, Wilts, on July 14. A firearm was recovered at the site near her body. Rosie was the granddaughter of Princess Diana’s late uncle, Edmund Roche, the 5th Baron Fermoy.
Rosie was born to parents, Hugh Burke Roche and Pippa Long, on June 21, 2005. According to The Sun, she was found by her sister and mother at their family home in Wilts. The 20-year-old was allegedly packing to go away with her friends when she passed. Area coroner, Grant Davies, revealed that the police “have deemed the death as non-suspicious and there was no third-party involvement.” The Daily Mail has claimed ‘traumatic head injury’ as the cause of death. An inquest was also opened at Swindon and Wiltshire’s court.
Rosie was an English Literature student at Durham University. The staff and students at her college are saddened by her untimely passing. The Principal of Durham’s University College, Professor Wendy Powers, penned a heartbreaking note addressing her tragic death. She said, “University College staff and students are extremely saddened by the tragic death of Rosie Roche. Rosie was a first-year student studying for an English Literature degree. She had settled into the University and College beautifully and had lots of friends. She was loved for her creativity, energy, her love of books, poetry, and travel, among many other talents. She will be sorely missed.” Powers added, “Our thoughts and condolences are with Rosie’s family and friends, and we are offering support to those affected at this extremely difficult time.”
The difficult news has come a year after Harry and William lost another family member. In February 2024, Thomas Kingston, husband of William and Harry's cousin Lady Gabriella Kingston, was found dead with a gun nearby. Reports confirmed Thomas, who was 45 years old, too, died from a head injury. Senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Katy Skerrett, claimed Mr Kingston took away his own life. He was allegedly ‘likely provoked’ to do so by an adverse reaction to a medication. As per BBC, Lady Gabriella said, “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.” Thomas had allegedly stopped taking medication in the days before his death.
Coming back to Rosie, both William and Harry are yet to comment on their cousin's death.
If you're struggling to cope with grief and need help, please reach out to Crisis response at 1-800-203-CARE (2273)
If you're having thoughts about taking your own life, or know of anyone who is, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)