Kate Middleton and Prince William’s College Classmate Dies After 100-Foot Fall from Rooftop Bar in London

Ben Duncan, a socialite, reality television personality, and former university classmate of Kate Middleton and Prince William, died last week after a tragic fall from a rooftop bar in London.

According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police, officers responded to reports of concern for a man on the roof of a building on Cockspur Street in Westminster at 11:02 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Duncan reportedly fell from the seven-story Trafalgar St. James Hotel. Despite efforts by the London Ambulance Service, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said his death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious.

Duncan studied at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland alongside William and Kate — the same university where the royal couple’s relationship began. In a 2010 interview with the Daily Mail, Duncan reflected on their time as classmates, recalling that their budding romance was well-known on campus. “Because we had Will and Kate in our midst, we had royal protection officers swarming the place. We knew that they had hit it off and that something was happening, but they were just left alone to get on with it,” he said.

He also attended the university fashion show where Kate famously caught William’s attention with her daring outfit. “It was the end of their first year. I was there, and there were a lot of attractive girls,” Duncan recalled. “She was in a very daring, sheer dress. He was sitting front row and his eyes were like stalks. She brushed by him on the way to the catwalk, and things were never the same again — the whole history of the monarchy had been altered.”

After graduation, Duncan appeared on season 11 of the U.K.’s Big Brother — the final season to air on Channel 4 — where he became the sixth housemate to be evicted. He also featured on popular British reality shows such as Come Dine With Me, Ladette to Lady, and Celebrity Coach Trip.

Following his passing, many friends shared tributes online. Broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth wrote on Facebook, “My dear, dear friend Benjamin (Ben) Duncan has left us. He lived life as Peter Pan — the boy who never grew up. He will be sorely missed by his many, many friends, who grew to love his charm, his wit, his infectious laugh, and his innate sense of style. The world is a poorer place for his passing. RIP Benji.”