Ben Duncan, a 45-year-old friend of Prince William, tragically lost his life after falling from the rooftop bar of the Trafalgar St. James hotel in London. The incident unfolded last Thursday night, shortly after 11 p.m., when emergency services responded to reports of a man on the roof of a building on Cockspur Street, Westminster.
Duncan’s fall from the seven-story rooftop, approximately 100 feet high, has raised concerns among the public, though authorities have stated that the circumstances surrounding his death are “unexpected but non-suspicious.” A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that despite quick action from the London Ambulance Service, which deployed multiple resources including an incident response officer and a trauma team, Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Duncan’s body was discovered in Spring Gardens, just a stone’s throw from the bustling Trafalgar Square. Notably, the hotel’s rooftop bar features high plastic screens designed for safety, leading to questions about the events that led to Duncan’s tragic fall.
Duncan was not just a friend to the royals; he was part of an intimate circle that included William and his wife, Kate Middleton, during their time at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. It was there that the couple’s romance blossomed, with Duncan often recalling the palpable chemistry between them. He once mentioned in an interview how royal protection officers were a regular presence on campus, a testament to the royal couple’s emerging relationship in a setting where they were largely allowed to navigate their romance privately.
His experiences at university also included witnessing the moment when Kate Middleton caught William’s eye during a campus fashion show. Duncan vividly described how the prince’s attention shifted to Middleton as she walked by in a striking dress, a moment that would go on to alter the course of royal history. “He was sitting front row, and his eyes were like stalks,” Duncan recalled, highlighting not only the significance of that moment but also the genuine camaraderie shared among friends during their formative years.
In the years following their university days, Duncan transitioned into a public figure, appearing on reality television shows such as “Big Brother.” His journey from a college friend to a television personality reflects the often unpredictable nature of life and the connections formed in youth.
The shock of Duncan’s untimely passing resonates deeply, particularly given his close ties to the royal family. As friends and family mourn his loss, his contributions to the story of William and Kate’s romance will not be forgotten. Duncan was a witness to a pivotal chapter in history, and his legacy will undoubtedly linger in the memories of those who knew him.
