The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla's brother, Mark Shand, has died at the age of 62 after suffering a head injury outside a New York City night club on Wednesday, April 23, Us Weekly can confirm.
"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," Clarence House tells Us in a statement. "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 slipped while lighting a cigarette and smashed his head on a sidewalk outside the Diamond Horseshoe, sources confirm to Us. Earlier in the day, the travel writer attended an auction to raise funds for the Elephant Family, which helps to prevent the extinction of endangered Asian elephants.
Prince Charles' son Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton are currently on their three-week Australian and New Zealand tour, and have yet to make a statement. They last visited a community-run music center in Adelaide, Australia on Wednesday.
