Friend of Prince William left £90,000 in his estate after plunging 100ft to his death from hotel rooftop bar

One of Prince William's university friends left £90,000 in his estate after he died falling 100ft over the balcony of a rooftop bar.Ben Duncan, who also starred in Big Brother, died at the age of 45 without making a will, according to documents reviewed by the Daily Mail.The High Court granted letters of administration to his mother Monica Duncan, of Frome in Somerset, in July this year. It means she takes control of his estate.Papers show the gross value of Mr Duncan's assets was £218,450 – reduced to £91,683 following deductions to repay debts and cover expenses.Mr Duncan fell almost 100ft from the rooftop bar of the five-star, six-storey Trafalgar St James hotel, which sits on the edge of Trafalgar Square, on October 30, 2025.At the time of his death, he had been living in a ground-floor flat in Pimlico, central London, just a few minutes' walk from the Houses of Parliament.Police had been called to reports of a 'man on the roof' of the Hilton, where rooms can cost up to £1,000 a night, shortly before he was found. The Metropolitan Police said at the time: 'Despite the best efforts from the London Ambulance Service, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.' Ben Duncan pictured with Davina McCall after being evicted from the Big Brother house in 2010 Duncan died after falling from the roof of the six-storey Hilton-operated Trafalgar St James hotel in central London His close friend, the broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth, said he would be 'sorely missed' (pictured together in 2015)His death was treated as 'unexpected, but not suspicious'. An outpouring of tributes followed: broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth, whom Mr Duncan had regarded as a 'second father', said he 'lived life like Peter Pan - the boy who never grew up'.He wrote on Facebook at the time: 'He will be sorely missed by his many, many friends, who grew to love his charm, his wit, his infectious laugh and his innate sense of style. The world is a poorer place for his passing.' TV presenter Josie Gibson, who appeared alongside him on Big Brother and ultimately won the series, said he was 'one of the most unique, hilariously funny, dry-witted guys I know'.Mr Duncan rose to fame after he entered the 11th series of the reality show in 2010 – the last on Channel 4 before the rights were purchased by Channel 5.His posh personality and sarcasm led to clashes with housemates and nominations for eviction every week. He told Digital Spy of his time in the house: 'I did make comments in there, but I don't think I was that b****y. We are under pressure in there and you do become snappy.'My dad has a very pithy wit. I've been brought up to be quite sarcastic and that can come across as b****y. If they hurt people's feelings then I regret that.' The publicity of Big Brother led to appearances on Celebrity Coach Trip and Come Dine With Me.However, he was also well known for his royal connections, having attended the University of St Andrews alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, now Catherine, Princess of Wales.Speaking to American outlet E! News in 2011, he recalled the prince as 'social' but 'very low key', while he thought of the future princess as a 'jolly-holly hockey sticks girl... always organising, she's a natural leader'.And in an earlier interview with the Daily Mail, he recalled how the prince's eyes 'were like stalks' when he saw Kate in the daring sheer dress she wore during a 2002 student fashion show.The reality star quipped at the time: 'She brushed by him on the way to the catwalk, and things were never the same again - the whole history of the monarchy had been altered.'An inquest into Mr Duncan's death is due to be opened later this year.For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support