Prince William and Prince Harry’s cousin who was found dead at her family home was a “darling daughter” and “incredible sister”, a tribute said.
Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche, who was the granddaughter of Princess Diana’s uncle, was found dead by her mother and sister at her home in Norton, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, on July 14.
The 20-year-old had been studying English Literature at Durham University and was found after she had been packing for a trip away with friends.
An inquest was opened at Wiltshire and Swindon coroner’s court on Sunday and adjourned until October 25. There are no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement, police said.
A coroner told The Independent the cause of death was a “traumatic head injury”.
A death notice in the Yorkshire Post said: “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.”
The first-year student was a descendant of the Barons Fermoy and the eldest child of Edmund Hugh Burke Roche, 53, and his wife the former Phillipa Kate Victoria Long.
Ms Roche’s grandfather was the 5th Baron Fermoy – Princess Diana’s uncle – who died in 1984.
Professor Wendy Powers, the principal of University College, said staff and students are “extremely saddened” by her death.
She said: “Rosie had settled into the University and College beautifully and had lots of friends.
“She was loved for her creativity, energy, her love of books, poetry and travel among many other talents. She will be sorely missed.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Rosie’s family and friends, and we are offering support to those affected at this extremely difficult time”.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the death of Ms Roche.
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “There are no suspicious circumstances, and our thoughts are with her family.
“We would ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.”
Ms Roche’s death comes after Thomas Kingston, Lady Gabriella Windsor’s husband, died from a head injury, with a gun found near his body at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds, last February.
In January an inquest heard he had been prescribed drugs to treat depression by a GP at the Royal Mews Surgery, a practice at Buckingham Palace, after struggling to sleep following stress at work.
Source: independent.co.uk
