Rosie Roche, cousin of Princes William and Harry, cause of death officially confirmed

Rosie Roche, a cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry and a student at Durham University, has died at the age of 20. Her cause of death has been confirmed as a traumatic head injury, with a firearm found near her body, according to Wiltshire and Swindon area coroner Grant Davies as per DailyMail.

Roche was discovered at her family’s home in Norton, Wiltshire, on July 14 by her sister Agatha. The coroner stated that Rosie had been preparing for a trip with friends and was packing when her body was found in the home’s office. “She was slumped over a firearm with significant head trauma,” Davies said during the inquest opening on Sunday. Police determined there was no third-party involvement, and the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Emergency services responded to the scene around 1 p.m., including armed officers and paramedics. A family spokesperson described Rosie as a “darling daughter” to her parents, Hugh and Pippa, and an “incredible sister” to Archie and Agatha. “She will be sorely missed,” the statement said.

Rosie was a descendant of the Barons Fermoy and the granddaughter of the 5th Baron Fermoy, Edmund Roche, who died by suicide in 1984. She was studying English Literature at Durham University, where she had just completed her first year.

Professor Wendy Powers, Principal of University College, paid tribute, noting Rosie’s “creativity, energy, and love of books, poetry and travel.” She added that Rosie “had settled into university life beautifully” and had formed many friendships.

A private funeral will be held, with a public memorial service planned for a later date. The inquest has been adjourned until October 25. Both Kensington Palace and Prince Harry’s representatives have declined to comment on the matter, asking for privacy for the family.