Rosie Roche, 20, was found dead at her family home in Wiltshire on July 14. Police have ruled out any third-party involvement as her family have now placed an obituary in their local newspaper
08:42, 22 Jul 2025Updated 10:18, 22 Jul 2025
Rosie Roche was found by her mum and sister after she had been packing to go away(Image: Facebook)
The parents of Rosie Roche, the tragic cousin of Princes William and Harry, have paid an emotional tribute to their “darling” daughter.
The 20-year-old was discovered dead at her family residence in Norton, Wiltshire. Rosie, who was studying English Literature at Durham University, was reportedly preparing for a getaway with friends when her mother and sister made the heartbreaking find on July 14. A firearm was found at the scene.
She was the daughter of Edmund (Hugh) Burke Roche and Pippa Long, who are mourning the devastating loss. The family, who have strong ties to the British aristocracy, have described her an “incredible” sister to Archie and Agatha as they come to terms with the heartbreaking news.
An obituary placed in the Yorkshire Post by the family reads: ” 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 the cousin of Princes William and Harry(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
During an inquest hearing at Wiltshire and Swindon coroner’s court, area coroner Grant Davies said police “have deemed the death as non-suspicious and there was no third-party involvement”. Rosie was working towards obtaining a degree in English Literature at Durham University during the time of her death. A spokeswoman said she “will be sorely missed”. The inquest has been adjourned until October 25.
Ms Roche’s death comes after Thomas Kingston, who married Harry and William’s cousin Lady Gabriella in 2019, died in February last year aged just 45 with a firearm next to him. The financier suffered a “traumatic head wound”, and a gun was found near to his body in an outbuilding at his parents home in the Cotswolds, an inquest opening at Gloucestershire Coroners Court heard. Police said they were satisfied the death was not suspicious.
He and Lady Gabriella didn’t seem to have any relationship or money troubles, a family friend told The Times – while another close friend shared that Mr Kingston always put others first, which might have affected his own mental health.
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The former financier, who studied economic history at Bristol University, had numerous brushes with death – the most notable being a suicide bombing at the church in 2004, which claimed 22 lives.
Reflecting on the event, Reverend Canon Andrew White, who ran the only Anglican church in Baghdad, Iraq, where Mr Kingston reportedly spent time as a hostage negotiator, said: “We couldn’t move, and I can remember saying ‘What do we do Tom?’
“And he said, ‘Pray’. I said, ‘Lord, have mercy on us’ and suddenly a huge oil tanker about 25 metres ahead of us blew up. If we hadn’t been in the traffic jam, we would have been killed instantly. But this was a kind of daily thing that happened.”
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