Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche, a 20-year-old cousin of Princes William and Harry, has been remembered as a “darling daughter” and “incredible sister” following her untimely death at the family home in Norton, near Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The English Literature student at Durham University was found by her mother and sister on 14 July while preparing for a holiday with friends. Wiltshire Police confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement. An inquest has been opened and adjourned until 25 October, with the cause of death recorded as a “traumatic head injury”.
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Ms Roche, who was in her first year at university, was the granddaughter of the 5th Baron Fermoy, Princess Diana’s uncle. A death notice published in the Yorkshire Post described her as the “darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha”, adding that a private family funeral will be followed by a memorial service at a later date. Her parents, Edmund Hugh Burke Roche and Phillipa Kate Victoria Long, are part of a family with longstanding aristocratic ties.
Professor Wendy Powers, Principal of University College at Durham, paid tribute to Rosie, saying she had “settled into the University and College beautifully” and was loved for her “creativity, energy, and love of books, poetry and travel”. She added that Rosie “will be sorely missed” and confirmed that support is being provided to students and staff affected by her passing. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the death.
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Wiltshire Police reiterated that there were no suspicious circumstances and asked the public and press to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Ms Roche’s death comes just months after another tragic loss in royal circles—Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, died in February from a head injury, with a firearm discovered nearby.
