Prince William and Harry’s Cousin Found Dead with Firearm Nearby in Family Home

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the extended royal family as Rosie Roche, a 20-year-old cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, was found dead in her family’s countryside home in Norton, Wiltshire. A firearm was discovered near her body.

Rosie was the granddaughter of the 5th Baron Fermoy—Princess Diana’s uncle—making her a relative of the princes on their late mother’s side. Her great-grandmother, Lady Ruth Fermoy, was a trusted confidante of the Queen Mother and a key figure in the royal court.

Police say there was no sign of foul play, with coroner Grant Davies stating the death is not being treated as suspicious. “There was no third-party involvement,” he told reporters, according to The Sun.

Rosie’s body was discovered on July 14 by her mother, Pippa, and her sister, Agatha, just days before she was set to travel with friends. A student of English literature at Durham University, she had reportedly been packing her bags when tragedy struck.

Her obituary in The Yorkshire Post remembered her as a beloved daughter and sister:
“Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long… She will be sorely missed.”

A private funeral is planned, with a memorial service to follow.

Royal Bloodlines and Past Tragedies

Rosie’s grandfather, Lord Fermoy, died by suicide in 1984, just before she was born. That same year, Prince Harry was born, with Prince William having arrived two years earlier. While the princes didn’t know him personally, the Fermoy family has long been intertwined with royal history.

Lady Ruth Fermoy, Rosie’s great-grandmother, was not only Diana’s grandmother but also a strong influence on King Charles III. According to Charles’ authorized 1994 biography by Jonathan Dimbleby, both the Queen Mother and Lady Fermoy urged Charles to marry Diana.

Diana, however, later told her biographer Andrew Morton that her grandmother had concerns. “My grandma 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,’” she recalled.

Another Royal Connection to Tragedy

Rosie’s death follows another painful loss in royal circles. In early 2024, Thomas Kingston—the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor—also died by suicide. A coroner later noted that adverse effects from new medications may have influenced his mental state, although intent was unclear.

As the royal family continues to grapple with painful personal losses, these tragedies offer a somber reminder that mental health struggles do not discriminate—even among those with blue blood.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.