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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, British Socialite, Reality Star and Prince Charles’ Goddaughter, Dies at 45

Prince Charles’ goddaughter British socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was found dead at age 45 on Wednesday, February 8.

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths in 2016: Stars We’ve Lost

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends as Supporting Wounded Veterans and Skiing With Heroes host a private view of
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends as Supporting Wounded Veterans and Skiing With Heroes host a private view of “You Say You Want A Revolution: Records And Rebels 1966-70” at The V&A on October 3, 2016 in London, England. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

“We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are so much with the family,” Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla said in a statement. Queen Elizabeth IIs son used to ski and vacation with the It Girl’s parents, landowner and former Olympic skier Charles and Patti. Palmer-Tomkinson also became close with princes Harry and William as a result of her time spent with the royals. 

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Officers arrived at her South Kensington apartment in the early afternoon to find the party girl dead at the scene, the BBC reports. Palmer-Tomkinson — who received treatment for cocaine addiction in the past — was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that caused acute anemia, fatigue, tiredness, and was treated for a nonmalignant brain tumor last year. None of her preexisting conditions have been proven to contribute to her passing, as her cause of death remains unknown at this time.

The Prince of Wales is geeted by Tara Palmer-Tomkinson during a reception at Clarence House, London, 27 October, 2003.
The Prince of Wales is geeted by Tara Palmer-Tomkinson Oct. 26, 2003, during a reception at Clarence House, London. KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images

In addition to chronicling her extravagant lifestyle in columns for the Sunday Times and Tatler, Palmer-Tomkinson appeared on numerous reality shows, including I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, Comic Relief Does Fame Academy and The Underdog Show. In November 2016, however, Palmer-Tomkinson told the Daily Mail she’d abandoned her party girl ways.

“I’m not the person I was,” she said. ‘I’m much calmer. I don’t go to places like Ibiza because the party world scares me. I’ve gone completely the other way. I’m a very quiet person now, and I like being that person. I have a better perspective on life.”

Related: PHOTOS: Queen Elizabeth II's Evolution From Princess to the Longest-Reigning British Monarch

British journalist and Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan remembered Palmer-Tomkinson on Twitter, calling her, “A fun, feisty woman who battled many demons. Very sad news.”

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