Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have released a statement expressing their sadness following the news that Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has died. They released a statement via Clarence House, saying: "We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are so much with the family." Charles, 68, was the godfather of Tara, who sadly passed away at home on Wednesday 8 February at the age of 45. Her death is being treated as "unexplained" by police but not "suspicious".
As Prince Charles' good friend, Tara was incredibly close to the British royal family. Grant Harrold, the former butler to Princes Charles, William and Harry, expressed his shock on Twitter, writing: "I am deeply shocked & saddened to hear Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has died. I was lucky enough to have met her and know her family. A lovely Lady." Tributes from the celebrity world have been pouring in. Henry Conway, who took part in series one of The Jump with Tara, shared a photo on Instagram. The party promoter wrote: "Very sad news about #tarapalmertomkinson - she always rocked out the ski gear, here with us on season 1 of #thejump - my condolences to her family."
Piers Morgan posted a photo on Twitter and captioned it: "RIP Tara Palmer Tomkinson, 45. A fun, feisty woman who battled many demons. Very sad news." Gok Wan tweeted: "So sad to hear of TPT passing away. So young..." Perez Hilton also wrote: "So very sad to hear of the all-too-young death of @TPTpersonified!!"
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was Prince Charles' good friend
A regular face on the London party scene, Tara was known for her busy social life. However, last year she said that she had closed the door on her former lifestyle. She also revealed that she was battling a brain tumour. "I have been very, very blessed to have done the BAFTAS, Oscars events and so on – so many of them in so many years. I appreciate and remember every one," she told HELLO! magazine. "However, now I am switches. I just like roast chicken with my mates around the kitchen table. Maybe that's a sign of my age. People come to my house now. I don't like to look too much into things. Hey, after the rain there's always sunshine!"
HELLO!'s Rosie Nixon paid tribute on Instagram
Earlier on Wednesday a police spokesperson confirmed to HELLO! Online that a woman in her 40s was found dead at home. They said: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 13:40hrs on Wednesday, 8 February to an address in Bramham Gardens, SW5. A woman, aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed. The death is being treated as unexplained. At this early stage, police are not treating the death as suspicious. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. The Coroner has been informed."
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson on a ski lift with Prince Charles and Prince Harry