Britain’s Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla are "utterly devastated" following the sudden death of her younger brother.
The Duchess of Cornwall’s brother, Mark Shand, died in hospital at the age of 62 after suffering a head injury outside a nightclub in New York City on Tuesday night (22.04.14), following a charity auction.
In a statement on Wednesday (23.04.14), a spokesperson for Clarence House said: "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 source told the MailOnline that Mr. Shand, who was a travel writer, slipped and fell while lighting a cigarette and smashed his head on a sidewalk outside the Diamond Horseshoe, after attending a function to raise funds for the Elephant Family, which helps to prevent the extinction of endangered Asian elephants.
A spokesman for the organisation, which he set up in 2002, said: "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."
Mr. Shand is survived by his wife Clio, and his daughter Ayesha, 19.
Duchess Camilla is ‘devastated’ by brother’s death
