The Duchess of Cornwall is devastated over the death of her brother Mark Shand (centre)[ PA/EPA/GETTY]The auctioneer and conservationist, who was attending a charity event, was rushed to hospital and placed on life support but passed away 12 hours later.
The Duchess of Cornwall is said to be "utterly devastated" by the death of her brother, who worked as a travel writer and was also the chairman of the Elephant Family, a wildlife foundation. The news broke as Camilla, 66, and husband Prince Charles, 65, prepare to embark on a tour of Canada. They were in Balmoral, Scotland, when they heard the news and it is unclear whether their tour will now go ahead.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paused amid their royal tour of Australia to pay tribute to Mr Shand today.
A spokesman for the couple said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were saddened to learn this morning of the tragic death of Mark Shand. Their thoughts are with The Duchess of Cornwall and her family at this time."
A Clarence House spokesman said earlier: "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. "Mr Shand died in hospital as a result of a serious head injury which he sustained during a fall last night.
"The Duchess, the Prince of Wales and all her family members are utterly devastated by this sudden and tragic loss.
"Mark Shand was a man of extraordinary vitality, a tireless campaigner and conservationist whose incredible work through The Elephant Family and beyond remained his focus right up until his death."
Britisht travel writer Mark Shand with brother-in-law Prince Charles [PA]The Duchess, the Prince of Wales and all her family members are utterly devastated by this sudden and tragic loss
He said: "Mark Shand attempted to re-enter the hotel through the revolving doors.
"Mark Shand unexpectedly fell backwards, striking his head on the pavement. The incident was also captured on the hotel’s video surveillance system."
It was reported that Mr Shand had been taking blood pressure medication that occasionally gave him dizzy spells.
Mr Shand was attending an after party following the Faberge Big Egg Hunt auction at Sotheby’s in aid of his elephant charity, which was attended by Princess Eugenie and much of New York high society.
He was said to be "on top of the world" after the successful auction which raised £950,000 when the tragedy occurred.
Hours before his death, he was pictured with his rumoured fiancee Ruth Powys, 36, and her twin sister Mary at the event.
It is thought that he and Ms Powys, who is the CEO of his elephant charity, have been involved with each other for several years.
The news was broken to Camilla and Charles as they prepare for a tour of Canada [AP]In 1988, his extensive travels say him making a 600 mile trek across India on an elephant called Tara, inspiring his charity and a book called Travels with my Elephant.
He also had a close encounter with cannibals and crocodiles in Indonesia, worked as a jackaroo in Australia, and became shipwrecked in the South Pacific.
He was known to say: "OK, so I haven't really made any money - but at least I know I've lived."
Widely considered to be an expert on the Asian elephant, Mr Shand won a Thomas Cook Book Award and a French literature prize for his book about an elephant guide, entitled Queen of the Elephants, which was also made into a BBC documentary.
Sculptor Suydam Lansing, worked closely with Mr Shand on the Faberge Big Egg Hunt and was with him on the night of his death, told the Daily Telegraph: "He was so happy because the auction went so well. Mark was a totally lovely character and was always happy.
"But I would say that yesterday was one of the happiest days ever for him because he had worked so hard on the project and it went so well.
"There was a big team of us working on it and we were all pleased at the way it went.
"Mark and I went to the after party at the Paramount Hotel but I left before him."
Mark Shand had been at an event for his own Elephant Family charity [EPA]Speaking to The Mirror, the insider said: "The Duchess of Cornwall and her family fear the worst after being of the accident. "They have been told to brace themselves as the next few hours are critical. "The ambulance was there quickly but it is now touch and go."
A spokesman for the Elephant Family said: "Today we have lost the head of our family. Mark Shand was a true force for conservation.
"He was both a legend and inspiration and above all our great friend.
"We ask at this time that people's thoughts are with his loved ones. We will miss him always."
Tributes poured in on Twitter following the news of Mr Shand's death.
Campaigner Jemima Khan posted: "RIP Mark Shand: Best man, godfather to my son & my cousin's ex".
Ms Khan's ex-husband, former Pakistan international cricketer and politician Imran Khan, tweeted: "Shocked & saddened to learn of the death of one of my closest English friends, Mark Shand, in New York where he was raising funds 4 charity."
Zac Goldsmith, the Tory MP for Richmond Park, also paid tribute on Twitter, writing: "Conservation has lost a hero today. RIP the great and wonderful Mark Shand."
Last month Mr Shand denied reports he was romantically involved with former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nancy Dell'Olio, who was once the girlfriend of ex-England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
He said: "Let me be clear. I have never had an affair with Nancy Dell’Olio. We have never dated. There is no romance; there has not been any romance, there never will be."
He added: "I am more likely to have an affair with a ripe pomegranate! And I am very fond of pomegranates."
Mr Shand is survived by one daughter, 19-year-old Ayesha Shand, from his marriage with ex-wife and French actress Clio Goldsmith.
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