Duchess of Cornwall's brother Mark Shand dies after falling backwards while trying to re-enter a revolving door
Heartbreak: Camilla and her brother Mark Shand
The Duchess of Cornwall's brother Mark Shand died after falling backwards while trying to re-enter a revolving door.
Camilla Parker-Bowles and Prince Charles are said to be "utterly devastated" by the 62-year-old's death in New York.
Mr Shand, a well-known adventurer and travel writer, slipped in the early hours outside the Gramercy Hotel's Rose Bar.
New York Police Department said he had finished having a cigarette outside at around 2.50am when he fell backwards while trying to re-enter through a revolving door.
He was rushed to hospital where family were forced to decide to turn off a life support machine after being told he had no chance of surviving.
Fall: Mark Shand had been at an event at the Diamond Horseshoe Hotel in New York before he fell
His cause of death will be established by a medical examiner.
Mr Shand had been at an after-show party for a charity fund-raising event at the Diamond Horseshoe club that was also attended by Princess Eugenie, who is working in New York.
His only sister Camilla Parker-Bowles , 66, was given the news as she prepared for a high-profile tour to Canada with Prince Charles.
A spokesman for Clarence House said: “The Duchess [of Cornwall], the Prince of Wales and all her family are utterly devastated.
“Mark Shand was a man of extraordinary vitality, a tireless campaigner and conservationist whose incredible work through the Elephant Family remained his focus.”
RIP Mark Shand: Best man, godfather to my son & my cousin's ex "@ImranKhanPTI:Shocked to learn of death of 1 of my closest English friends"
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also expressed their grief at the shock news.
A spokesman for William and Kate - who are currently on tour in Australia - said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were saddened to learn this morning of the tragic death of Mark Shand.
"Their thoughts are with The Duchess of Cornwall and her family at this time."
It was claimed Mr Shand’s condition was further complicated by warfarin tablets he was taking to thin his blood to assist a medical condition.
The travel writer had been attending an auction at Sotheby’s in New York in aid of underprivileged children and the Elephant Family – a charity trying to save the endangered Asian elephant from extinction.
Chief executive Ian Walkden said £950,000 for the charity had been raised at the auction with the help of Mr Shand.
Getty/Clarence House
Mark Shand Clarence House Statement
He was recently forced to deny being in a relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio, the former girlfriend of ex-England football manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
Mr Shand , a rally driver and bobsleigh star, was expelled from a Dorset public school for smoking cannabis.
He was linked to a string of women, including Marie Helvin and Bianca Jagger, but in 1990 married Clio Goldsmith, niece of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith.
The couple were divorced in 2009. They have a daughter, Ayesha.
Rick Miramontez, spokesman for the Diamond Horseshoe, said: “Mr Shand was at the Diamond Horseshoe last night and he departed the venue.
“The accident occurred later in the evening at another destination.”
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