Duchess of Cornwall's Brother Mark Shand Dies after Fall in New York

Mark Shand, the brother of the Duchess of Cornwall, died after
a fall outside a New York nightclub

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Mark Shand, the brother of the Duchess of Cornwall, died after suffering serious head injuries in fall during a night out in New York

Mark Shand, the brother of the Duchess of Cornwall, has died after suffering a serious injury to his head in a fall.

The 63-year-old is understood to have slipped in the street outside a bar following a charity event also attended by Princess Eugenie.

Police said he had stepped outside to have a cigarette when the accident happened. Other sources said he had been drinking and suffered from dizzy spells due to blood pressure medication.

He was taken to hospital in New York where he was being treated for serious head injuries. Clarence House later confirmed he died from his injuries. Mr Shand is survived by his daughter, Ayesha, 19, and his French wife, Clio.

In a statement, 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. » | Rosa Prince | Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Saudi's First Women MPs Get Camilla's Royal Seal of Approval
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, met some of the first Saudi Arabian female MPs during her visit to the kingdom.

Camilla greeted the female members of the Saudi parliament, or Consultative Assembly, at the lavishly decorated Majlis Ash Shura building, saying: “Beneath all those pretty smiles there are a lot of very powerful women here.”

The Duchess was later joined by the Prince of Wales as they were given a tour of the gold encrusted parliament building, in Riyadh.

Hanan Al Ahmadi, one of the female MPs, told the Duchess her visit was an endorsement of the work they were doing as women politicians in what has been a traditionally male dominated society.

She said: “We have been waiting for this for a very long time. It is an emotional and very proud moment for us and carries a great deal of responsibility. You coming here to meet us is an endorsement of what is happening here.”

The Duchess replied: “I am so impressed. You are all so clever and well-educated and are blazing such a trail.” » | Patrick Sawer | Saturday, March 16, 2013