Prince William and Prince Harry’s cousin, found dead in the family home, was a “beloved daughter” and “incredible sister,” a tribute reads.
Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche, niece of Princess Diana ‘s uncle , was found dead by her mother and sister at her home in Norton, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire , on 14 July.
The 20-year-old was studying English literature at Durham University and was found while packing for a trip with friends.
An inquest opened at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court on Sunday and was adjourned until October 25. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement.
A coroner told the Independent that the cause of death was “head trauma”.
A death notice in the Yorkshire Post read: “Roche, Rosie Jeanne Burke. Died Monday, July 14, 2025.
“Beloved daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister of Archie and Agatha, granddaughter of Derek and Rae Long.
A private funeral will be held for the family. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The first-year student was a descendant of the Barons Fermoy and the eldest son of Edmund Hugh Burke Roche, 53, and his wife, the former Phillipa Kate Victoria Long.
Mrs Roche’s grandfather was the 5th Baron Fermoy, uncle of Princess Diana, who died in 1984.
Professor Wendy Powers, principal of University College, said staff and students were “extremely saddened” by his death.
She said: “Rosie had settled in really well at university and college and had lots of friends.
She was loved for her creativity, her energy, her love of books, poetry, and travel, among many other talents. She will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Rosie’s family and friends and we offer our support to those affected at this extremely difficult time.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Ms Roche’s death.
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “There are no suspicious circumstances and our thoughts are with his family.
“We ask that their privacy be respected at this terrible time.”
Mrs. Roche’s death follows that of Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, who died last February from a head wound; a pistol was found next to his body in his parents’ home in the Cotswolds.
In January, an inquest revealed that a GP at the Royal Mews Surgery, a Buckingham Palace practice, had prescribed him drugs to treat depression after he had difficulty sleeping due to stress at work.
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