Who was Rosie Roche? Princes William and Harry's 20-year-old cousin found dead with firearm nearby

Time of India

22-07-2025

The royals are in mourning.
Rosie Roche, a cousin of Prince William and
Prince Harry
, sadly passed away at the young age of 20. Roche, who was the granddaughter of Princess Diana's uncle, died at her family's home in Norton, Wiltshire, on Monday, July 14, with a "firearm nearby," as reported by The Sun.
What happened?
According to reports, Roche's mother and sister discovered her after she had started packing for a vacation with friends. A firearm was found close to her inside the house. A preliminary inquest was opened by the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner, Grant Davies, and has been adjourned until October 25, 2025, as authorities continue their review. As reported by PEOPLE, Coroner Grant Davies noted that the police have ruled her death non-suspicious, with no third-party involvement.
"Roche, Rosie Jeanne Burke. Died on Monday, 14th July 2025," the obituary reads. "Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, Granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long." It also mentioned a "Private family funeral. A memorial service will be held at a later date."
Who was Rosie Roche?
Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche was born on June 21, 2005. As the granddaughter of Princess Diana's uncle, Edmund Roche, 5th Baron Fermoy, she was a distant cousin of Princess Diana and, by extension, Prince William and Prince Harry.
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Undo
At just 20 years old, Rosie was studying English Literature at Durham University, poised to embark on a summer journey with friends. A spokesperson told The Sun that the royal family's cousin "will be sorely missed." In an obituary published by the Yorkshire Post on July 19, her family remembered her as a "darling" daughter, sister, and granddaughter.
The aftermath:
The British royal family is traditionally known to conceal their emotions, whether in joy or in grief, from the public eye.
Following suit, Rosie's family has opted for a private funeral, respecting both family privacy and their desire to control the narrative. The scheduled memorial service will allow friends and extended family to honor Rosie's memory in a more personal, meaningful setting.
With the inquest adjourned until October 25, the coroner's office is expected to gather medical reports and fully establish the cause of death.
Any statement from Prince William or Prince Harry has yet to address the tragic loss.
This tragic news comes just over a year after Thomas Kingston, a British financier and the husband of Lady Gabriella, passed away at 45. His death on February 25, 2024, was described as 'impulsive" and "unexpected" during an inquest review, according to the BBC. Kingston died from a severe head injury, with a gun found near him at his parents' home in the Cotswolds.
In December, Lady Gabriella, who is a second cousin to King Charles, shared her thoughts during an inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court. She believed her husband's "impulsive action" was likely linked to medication he had been taking in the weeks before his death, as reported by The Telegraph.
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