Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche, a 20-year-old cousin of Princes William and Harry, was found dead at her family’s home in Norton, Wiltshire, on July 14. A gun was discovered near her body. Her mother and sister found her shortly after she had packed for a trip with friends.
Police stated there was “no third-party involvement,” and the death was ruled non-suspicious. The inquest has been postponed until October 25.
Rosie was studying English literature at Durham University. An obituary described her as “Hugh and Pippa’s darling daughter, Archie and Agatha’s amazing sister.” A private funeral will be held, with a memorial service planned later.
Rosie’s grandfather, the 5th Baron Fermoy—Princess Diana’s uncle—also died by suicide in 1984.
The report also referenced a similar recent tragedy: Thomas Kingston, Lady Gabriella Windsor’s husband, died earlier this year from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after stopping his depression medication. The coroner ruled he died “while suffering adverse effects of medication.”
Both cases have raised concerns about mental health and access to firearms among members of the extended royal family.
