23 Apr 2014

Duchess of Cornwall ‘devastated’ after brother’s death

The Duchess of Cornwall is “utterly devastated” after her brother Mark Shand died from a serious head injury sustained in a fall in New York.

Mark Shand, 62, (pictured below) was taken to hospital on Tuesday night after hitting his head on the pavement outside an after-party for a charity event. He reportedly slipped while lighting a cigarette.

Camilla, who is preparing for a high-profile tour of Canada with the Prince of Wales next month, was said to be “utterly devastated” by the news.

A Clarence House spokesman said: “It is with deep sadness that we have to confirm that the Duchess of Cornwall’s brother, Mark Shand, has today passed away in New York.

Mark Shand was a man of extraordinary vitality, a tireless campaigner and conservationist Clarence House

“Mr Shand died in hospital as a result of a serious head injury which he sustained during a fall last night. The Duchess, the Prince of Wales and all her family members are utterly devastated by this sudden and tragic loss.

“Mark Shand was a man of extraordinary vitality, a tireless campaigner and conservationist whose incredible work through The Elephant Family and beyond remained his focus right up until his death.”

Shand was known for his work as a conservationist and travel writer and was the chairman of the Elephant Family charity. He was in New York for an auction held at Sotheby’s in aid of a charity for underprivileged children and the Elephant Family, which aims to save the enangered Asian elephant from extinction in the wild.

Below: Prince Charles (L) with conservationists Belinda Wright and Mark Shand (R) in India, 2013

Prince Charles (L) with conservationists Belinda Wright and Mark Shand (R)