Key Highlights
- Ben Duncan, a socialite and former Big Brother star, died after falling from the roof of London’s Trafalgar St James hotel.
- Duncan was friends with Prince William and Kate Middleton during their university days at St Andrews.
- The incident occurred on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at around 10:59 PM.
- Ben’s death is being treated as non-suspicious by the Metropolitan Police.
A Royal Connection and a Fallen Star
The tragic loss of Ben Duncan, a socialite who was once part of Prince William’s inner circle at St Andrews University, has sent shockwaves through London’s elite circles. Duncan, 45, was found dead after plummeting from the rooftop bar of the Trafalgar St James hotel in the heart of Westminster.
The Fall and the Fall Site
According to reports, Duncan fell seven floors—approximately 100 feet—from the roof of the iconic hotel. The location of his death, Spring Gardens just off Trafalgar Square, has become a focal point for inquiries by local authorities and onlookers alike. The hotel itself, known for its luxury accommodations and high-profile launches, now stands as a stark reminder of the incident.
A Life in the Spotlight
Beyond his connections with the royal family, Ben Duncan was well-known for his appearances on television shows such as Big Brother and Come Dine With Me. His career took him through various programs, including Ladette to Lady and Celebrity Coach Trip, where he presented the show More Than a Mistress.
Reactions from Friends and Familiar Faces
The news of Duncan’s death has sent ripples across London’s social media platforms. Mike Hollingsworth, a close friend and broadcaster, expressed his deep sorrow on Facebook: “My dear, dear friend Benjamin (Ben) Duncan has left us… the world is a poorer place for his passing.” Another unnamed source spoke of Duncan’s reclusive nature in recent years, attributing it to struggles with insomnia.
Memories and Milestones
In an interview from 2010, Ben shared details about his time at St Andrews, where he recounted the pivotal moment when Kate Middleton dazzled as a model in a university fashion show, catching William’s attention: “It was the end of their first year. She was in a very daring 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.” This anecdote highlights how Duncan’s recollections played into the unfolding relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a man on the roof at 23:02 hours on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene. The London Ambulance Service provided detailed accounts of their response and interventions.
As the community grapples with this loss, questions linger about Ben Duncan’s final moments and his life before and after his fall.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the often precarious nature of high-profile lives in the public eye.
The Trafalgar St James hotel, which charges up to £1,000 per night for its luxurious accommodations, now stands under scrutiny, with high plastic screens installed around the rooftop bar as safety measures. The hotel’s management has not yet commented on the incident publicly.
