A 20-year-old cousin of Princes William and Harry was found dead at her family home with a firearm nearby, according to an inquest opened at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court. Rosie Roche, the granddaughter of Princess Diana’s uncle, died on July 14 at the family’s residence in Norton, near Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
She had been packing for a trip with friends and was discovered by her mother and sister. Area coroner Grant Davies stated that police have ruled out third-party involvement and deemed the death non-suspicious. The inquest has been adjourned until October 25.
Rosie was a first-year English Literature student at Durham University. Professor Wendy Powers, Principal of Durham's University College, expressed the community’s grief, saying Rosie “was loved for her creativity, energy, her love of books, poetry and travel” and had “settled beautifully” into university life. Powers added, “She will be sorely missed.”
Her family also issued a heartfelt death notice describing Rosie as the “darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.” Support is being offered to those affected by the tragedy.
The news comes months after the death of Thomas Kingston, husband of William and Harry’s cousin Lady Gabriella Kingston, who also died from a head injury with a firearm found nearby. A coroner ruled that death a suicide. Both Rosie’s family and a spokesperson for Prince William declined to comment further.
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