22-07-2025
Prince William and Harry's Cousin Found Dead Near Firearm
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Rosie Roche, a cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, was found dead at her family's home alongside a firearm, a coroner's inquest heard.
Roche, aged 20, was related to the royal brothers through her grandfather, who was Princess Diana's uncle. And her great-grandmother, Lady Ruth Fermoy, was a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother, who advised King Charles III to marry Diana.
Quoted by The Sun, area coroner Grant Davies, said police "have deemed the death as non-suspicious and there was no third-party involvement."
Prince Harry and Prince William attend the annual Remembrance Sunday service at The Cenotaph, in London, on November 10, 2019.
Prince Harry and Prince William attend the annual Remembrance Sunday service at The Cenotaph, in London, on November 10, 2019.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Roche's body was found at her family home in Norton, Wiltshire, on July 14. A family spokesperson quoted in The Daily Telegraph said she "will be sorely missed."
An obituary published in The Yorkshire Post read: "Roche, Rosie Jeanne Burke. Died on Monday 14th July 2025.
"Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.
"Private family funeral. A memorial service will be held at a later date."
She was discovered by her mother, Pippa, and sister, Agatha. A coroner's inquest was opened and adjourned until October 25.
Roche studied English literature student at Durham University and had been packing to go away with friends before her death, according to The Daily Mirror.
The Roche Family and the Royals
Roche was a granddaughter of the 5th Baron Fermoy, born Edmund James Burke Roche, who was Princess Diana's maternal uncle. Lord Fermoy shot himself aged 45 in 1984, The New York Times reported at the time, before his granddaughter was born.
Prince Harry was born the same year and Prince William two years earlier, so neither prince knew him.
The Fermoys have been significant figures in royal life. Lord Fermoy's mother, Lady Ruth Fermoy, was a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother and a significant figure in King Charles III's life. She was Rosie Roche's great grandmother.
In fact, she was among the people whom Charles asked for advice on whether to marry Princess Diana.
Lady Ruth Fermoy visits her granddaughter Princess Diana following the birth of Prince William at St. Mary's Hospital, in London, England, on June 21, 1982.
Lady Ruth Fermoy visits her granddaughter Princess Diana following the birth of Prince William at St. Mary's Hospital, in London, England, on June 21, king's 1994 authorized biography, The Prince of Wales: A Biography, by journalist Jonathan Dimbleby, read: "Characteristically (in relation to such intimate matters) the Queen refrained from tendering her opinion but Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was a significant influence, counselled strongly in favour of marriage, as did her lady-in-waiting, Ruth Fermoy, who was Diana Spencer's grandmother."
Quoted in the book, Lady Fermoy also described Charles playing her a piece on the cello as a boy: "He could have been a very good cellist because he's such a sensitive musician and he made a lovely sound. At the end he said, 'I'm hopeless'."
Meanwhile, Diana told her biographer Andrew Morton for his 1992 book Diana: Her True Story: "My grandma [Lady Fermoy] always said to me: 'Darling, you must understand that their sense of humour and their lifestyle are different and I don't think it will suit you.'"
Lady Fermoy also visited Princess Diana in the hospital after the birth of Prince William, in June 1982.
Lord Fermoy's sister was Frances Shand Kydd, Diana's mother.
The Death of Thomas Kingston
In February 2024, Thomas Kingston—husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, another cousin of William and Harry—died after shooting himself following side-effects from a change to his medication.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, at the time recorded a narrative verdict in December 2024: "Mr Kingston took his own life using a shotgun which caused a severe traumatic wound to the head.
"Intent remains unclear as the deceased was suffering from adverse effects of medications he had recently been prescribed."
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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