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

Meredith KileNovember 5, 2025 at 2:21 AM

0

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty; Justin Goff Photos/Getty

Prince William and Kate Middleton; Ben Duncan -

Ben Duncan, a socialite, reality star and university classmate of Kate Middleton and Prince William, died on Oct. 30 after falling from a rooftop bar in London

Duncan attended the University of St. Andrews in Scotland at the same time as William and Kate

He went on to star on reality television and present shows, appearing on the U.K. version of Big Brother in 2010

Ben Duncan, a socialite, reality star and university classmate of Kate Middleton and Prince William, died last week after falling from a rooftop bar in London.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told the Daily Mail, "Officers responded to concerns for a man on the roof of a building in Cockspur Street, Westminster at 23:02 hours on Thursday, 30 October."

Duncan reportedly fell from the roof of the trendy, seven-story Trafalgar St. James Hotel.

"Despite the best efforts from the London Ambulance service, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene," the MPD spokesperson continued, calling his death "unexpected but non-suspicious."

Duncan attended the University of St, Andrews in Scotland at the same time as William and Kate, which is where the future royal couple's budding romance began.

According to the Daily Mail, Duncan gave an interview in November 2010 in which she spoke about the prince and future princess as their relationship blossomed throughout college.

"Because we'd had Will and Kate in our midst we had royal protection officers swarming the place. We knew that they had hit it off and we knew that something was happening, but they were just left alone to get on with it," he said.

Bruno Vincent/Getty

Prince Charles and Prince William; Kate Middleton

Duncan was also present at the now-famous campus fashion show, where Kate is said to have captured William's attention with her revealing outfit.

"It was the end of their first year. I was there, and in person there were a lot of attractive girls," he recounted. "She was in a very daring dress, in a sheer stocking-like 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," Duncan added.

After graduating, Duncan went on to appear on series 11 of the U.K.'s version of Big Brother, the final season to air on Channel 4. He was the sixth housemate evicted from the season, which was ultimately won by Josie Gibson.

Duncan also appeared on shows like Come Dine With Me, Ladette to Lady and Celebrity Coach Tri.

Eamonn McCormack/Getty

Ben Duncan becomes the 6th housemate evicted from the 11th and final Big Brother House on July 30, 2010

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Many of the reality star's friends paid tribute to him online following his death.

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."

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”