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.
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.
A statement from Mark Shand’s friends at Elephant Family reads:
"Today we have lost the head of our family. Mark Shand was a true force for conservation. He was both a legend and inspiration and above all our great friend. We ask at this time that people’s thoughts are with his loved ones. We will miss him always."
