Summer had been bringing signs of optimism for the British royal family, with relations beginning to thaw between King Charles III and his younger son after years of emotional and physical distance. Tragic events have overshadowed this hopeful period. Rosie Roche, a 20-year-old distant relative of the royals, passed away unexpectedly. She was the granddaughter of one of Princess Diana’s uncles, making her a second cousin to Princes William and Harry on their mother’s side.
Rosie Roche was found dead in her home in Norton, near Malmesbury, a small historic town in Wiltshire, southwest England. Nothing hinted at such a tragic end, as Rosie had exciting plans for the future. IIn fact, she was packing for a holiday with friends when her mother and sister discovered her body. Rosie had spent the previous year studying English literature at Durham University. She was the granddaughter of one of Princess Diana’s uncles, making her a second cousin to the King’s two sons.
A firearm was found near the body, according to The Sun. The incident occurred a week ago, on July 14, but the news has only just come to light. The Wiltshire and Swindon coroner's court immediately opened an investigation but postponed the proceedings until October 25. While the exact cause of death is yet to be determined, Coroner Grant Davies said that police “have deemed the death as non-suspicious,” adding, “There was no third-party involvement.”
At the family’s request, a private funeral has been organized. A memorial service will be held at a later date, though it is not yet known whether Prince William, Prince Harry, or any members of the Spencer family will attend. A A spokesperson stated, “We will miss her deeply.” An obituary was published in the Yorkshire Post, which reads:
"Roche, Rosie Jeanne Burke. Died on Monday, 14th July 2025," the obituary states. "Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long."
This incident brings to mind the death of Lady Gabriella Windsor, who was the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, along with her husband. In February 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that Thomas Kingston had died at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds from a traumatic head wound, with a firearm found near the body.
From the beginning, authorities ruled out any involvement by a third party, and investigators found no evidence of suspicious activity. There had been no signs of trouble in the couple's life—quite the opposite. The investigation later concluded that the financier died by suicide, described as a “sudden impulse” following an “adverse reaction to prescribed medication.”
The case sparked a national conversation in the UK about the use of antidepressants.