A tragic accident occurred involving Michael Brudenell-Bruce, the 98-year-old 8th Marquess of Ailesbury, who died after falling from his bedroom window while trying to let his cat out. His girlfriend, Teresa Marshall de Paoli, discovered him on the patio below, having sustained a fatal head injury.

Teresa, who had been with him for over 30 years, described the incident as a freak accident. She recounted how he likely lost his balance while opening the window for their cat, Honeybun, who had gotten stuck. Despite her immediate call for help, he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

The police initially treated the situation as a crime scene, leading to some confusion about the circumstances of his death. Teresa reassured that there was no foul play involved, emphasizing that it was an unfortunate accident and that he had been pale and cold when she found him.

Michael Brudenell-Bruce, who had a distinguished background including attending Eton and serving as a captain in the Royal Horse Guards, had been living with Teresa in West London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that while the death was unexpected, it is not being treated as suspicious, and his family has been notified.