Royal Florist's Husband's Debt Problems

1 month ago 09th Oct 14:00

The husband of Britain's Prince Charles' former florist committed suicide because of his mounting debts.

Sarah Champier-Lowe - who was made redundant last month after working at Charles' Highgrove estate for 11 years - revealed her late husband David Lowe refused to discuss his financial problems, and she had no idea he was £30,000 in debt.

Speaking at the inquest into her spouse's death, Sarah said yesterday (08.10.09): "It was tight. But I wasn't really aware of not meeting our financial requirements. David looked after all of that. There was no communication about it.

"That was part of the problem. He was very private about it. I only discovered the amounts on David's death."

By the end of last year there were mounting financial problems. Whether Mrs Champier-Lowe said she would have to leave him I rather suspect so.

Sarah - who prepared floral arrangements at Highgrove and tended to the plants in the royal's organic shop on the estate - broke down in tears in court as she denied she had been planning to leave her husband.

David, a telephone engineer, had been struggling to fund the rebuilding of a property the couple bought last year. He had told friends it was a money pit.

The 50-year-old florist reported David, 52, missing on April 29. His body was found in the Bristol Channel near Burnham-on-Sea on May 25.

Friends of the couple revealed they slept in separate rooms and David had discussed ending his life.

Paul James said: "They had moved into different rooms. They weren't getting along. There was a lack of communication and a lack of affection.

"He said that everyone would be better off if he wasn't around anymore. I told him that was a very stupid thing to contemplate."

Coroner Michael Rose recorded a verdict of suicide, saying: "By the end of last year there were mounting financial problems. Whether Mrs Champier-Lowe said she would have to leave him I rather suspect so.

"They were sleeping in separate bedrooms which for people of this age is unusual. But there were no clear indications to other people. There was nothing to alert anybody there of any action he was to take later that night.