Tragedy Strikes Royal Circles: Prince William and Harry’s Cousin, 20, Found Dead With Firearm Nearby
The untimely death of Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche, a 20-year-old cousin of Princes William and Harry, has cast a pall over the British royal family.
On July 14, 2025, Rosie, the granddaughter of Princess Diana’s uncle, was discovered dead at her Norton, Wiltshire, house.
Reports state that Rosie was found soon after she had been packing for a planned vacation with friends by her mother, Phillipa Kate Victoria Long, and her younger sister, Agatha.
According to The Sun, a gun was discovered at the scene near her body.
According to Wiltshire Police, the event is being investigated as not being suspicious.
According to Coroner Grant Davies, who opened the inquest at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court,
“Police have deemed the death as non-suspicious and there was no third-party involvement.”
It has been decided to postpone the inquest until October 25.
At Durham University, where she studied English literature, Rosie Roche showed promise and was said to be well-liked by both professors and classmates.
According to a family spokesperson, “William and Harry’s cousin will be sorely missed,” expressing profound sadness at her passing.
She was honoured with the following obituary in the Yorkshire Post: “Roche, Rosie Jeanne Burke.”
Died on July 14, 2025, a Monday.
Gorgeous daughter of Hugh and Pippa, Derek and Rae Long’s grandchild, and an amazing sister to Archie and Agatha.
A private family funeral would be held, it was further stated, and a public memorial service would be planned later.
A direct descendant of the Barons Fermoy, (Edmund) Burke Roche, 53, and his wife Pippa had an eldest child named Rosie.
The 5th Baron Fermoy, Princess Diana’s uncle, was her late grandfather.
He also sadly committed suicide in 1984.
Only a few months have passed since another well-known death in royal circles, and this newest tragedy follows.
Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, was discovered dead from a head wound at his parents’ Cotswolds property in February, with a revolver close by.
It was disclosed at an inquest in January that Kingston had lately stopped taking the depression medication that had been prescribed to him.
Because of the negative effects of the drug, the coroner came to the conclusion that he had committed suicide.
Rosie Roche was a bright young woman with a noble pedigree and a promising future who passed away far too soon.
As the British people responds with sadness to yet another devastating loss connected to the royal family, condolences are still coming in.
