Royal Tragedy Prince William and Harrys Cousin Rosie Roche Dies at 20 from Gunshot Wound
Coroner Confirms Traumatic Head Injury in Non-Suspicious Death, Firearm Found at Scene
Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche, the 20-year-old cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, was found dead at her family’s Wiltshire home on July 14, 2025, with a firearm nearby, in a tragedy that has left the royal family and her university community reeling.
The Wiltshire and Swindon coroner, Grant Davies, revealed her cause of death as a “traumatic head injury” from a gunshot wound, ruling it non-suspicious with no third-party involvement. Discovered by her mother and sister while preparing for a holiday, Rosie’s sudden loss marks another sorrowful chapter for the royal family’s extended circle. Here’s the full story of her life, the investigation, and the outpouring of grief.
A Heartbreaking Scene in Wiltshire
On July 14, 2025, emergency services rushed to the Roche family home in Norton, near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, at approximately 1:15 p.m. after Rosie’s mother, Phillipa (Pippa), and sister, Agatha, found her deceased in her bedroom. The 20-year-old had been packing for a vacation with friends, her suitcase partially filled, when the tragedy occurred.
A legally owned firearm, believed to belong to a family member, was found near her body, prompting a swift investigation by Wiltshire Police and the coroner’s office. Coroner Grant Davies, opening an inquest on July 17, stated that police deemed the death “non-suspicious,” with no evidence of foul play, and adjourned the full hearing to October 25, 2025, for further analysis.
The traumatic head injury, identified as a gunshot wound, aligns with the coroner’s findings, though the official report avoided explicitly labeling it suicide pending the inquest. Wiltshire Police issued a statement: “We can confirm there are no suspicious circumstances, and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”
The presence of a firearm in a UK home, where gun laws are stringent, has raised questions, but police noted it was legally registered, likely for rural activities like hunting, common in Wiltshire. The family requested privacy, and no further details about the firearm’s ownership or accessibility have been disclosed.
A Rising Star at Durham University
Born June 21, 2005, Rosie was the eldest daughter of Edmund Hugh Burke Roche, 53, and Pippa Long, connecting her to the royal family as a second cousin to Princes William and Harry through her grandfather, Edmund Roche, 5th Baron Fermoy—Princess Diana’s uncle.
A first-year English Literature student at Durham University’s University College, Rosie was celebrated for her “creativity, energy, and love of books, poetry, and travel,” as noted by Professor Wendy Powers, the college principal. “Rosie was a vibrant presence, and we are extremely saddened by her loss,” Powers said, adding that counseling services were offered to students.
Rosie’s academic passion shone through in her poetry readings and travel blogs, shared with peers, which highlighted her curiosity and warmth. A university spokesperson described her as a “beloved member” of the community, with tributes pouring in from classmates who recalled her “infectious laughter” and “brilliant mind.” Her death, just weeks into her summer break, stunned Durham, where she had been planning a literary society event for the fall term.
A Family’s Grief and Royal Echoes
The Roche family’s obituary, published in the Yorkshire Post and The Times on July 19, mourned Rosie as a “darling daughter” to Hugh and Pippa, an “incredible sister” to Archie, 17, and Agatha, 15, and a cherished granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.
A private funeral is planned, with a public memorial service to be announced, though it’s uncertain if senior royals will attend due to their private mourning practices. Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace declined to comment, reflecting the royal family’s discretion, while Prince Harry, in California, has not spoken publicly.
Rosie’s death is the third gun-related tragedy in the royal family’s extended circle. Her grandfather, Edmund Roche, died by suicide in 1984 via a gunshot wound at age 46, after battling depression.
In February 2024, Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, took his life with a shotgun at his parents’ Cotswolds estate, with the coroner citing an “impulsive act” linked to medication side effects. Social media posts have noted the eerie parallels, “Three gun deaths in the royal family’s orbit devastating.” The losses have renewed focus on mental health, with charities like Mind (0300 123 3393) promoted for support.
Investigation and Broader Implications
The October inquest will examine the circumstances, including the firearm’s role and Rosie’s state of mind, though the non-suspicious ruling suggests a likely conclusion of suicide. The tragedy highlights the UK’s strict gun laws only 1.3% of households own firearms—yet underscores risks when accessible.
Social media reflects grief and calls for mental health awareness, with posts like, “Rosie was so young, we need better support systems.” Her death, amid global news like South Korea’s floods (17 dead) and Trump’s team name controversy, underscores the royal family’s private pain in a public world.
Rosie’s legacy as a creative, vibrant young woman endures, with her family and university planning tributes to honor her love of literature. As one X post said, “Rosie Roche’s light burned bright rest in peace.”
