Mark Shand’s funeral will take place today (01.05.14).
The body of the 62-year-old conservationist – the brother of Britain’s Duchess Camilla – will be laid to rest in a private family service at Holy Trinity Church in Stourpaine, Dorset, South West England following his shock death in New York last week.
Camilla will be joined by her husband Prince Charles at the service, which is taking place in the same church where her father Major Bruce Shand’s funeral took place in 2006.
The duchess and her siblings often spent time together in the village, where her sister Annabel Elliot lives, and Mark previously said the country retreat had become the "centre" of the family.
The adventurer’s body was escorted home by a private jet by Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles and nephew Ben Elliot.
His death – from hitting his head after falling on a pavement outside a bar – has been ruled an accident by a medical examiner in the US.
Mark was known for his dedication to protecting the Asian elephant, and since his passing, conservation charity Elephant Family – which has received many offers of support since Mark’s death – have launched the Mark Shand Memorial Fund, which will raise money for the cause.
Mark Shand to be buried today
