Princess Anne issues statement following tragic news

Princess Anne has issued a statement following devastating news that her friend has tragically passed away.

• Mrs Debbie Zurick, a dog breeder who worked for the Queen’s daughter, died over the weekend.
• She tragically passed away after being shot at a cottage in Somerset.
• This follows royal news that Prince Harry and Prince William also received very sad news this week.

Princess Anne issued a statement following the sad death of her friend, whom she is said to have bonded with over their passion for gun dogs.

A spokesperson for the royal said, ‘The Princess Royal is saddened to hear of the death of Mrs Debbie Zurick. She will be sorely missed as secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society.’

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Mrs Zurick was the secretary of the society of which Princess Anne is president and patron for more than 20 years, before she retired last month.

The 56-year-old died on Saturday, after allegedly being shot by her ex-husband. He is said to have turned the gun on himself, but survived and is now stable in hospital. He's now in police custody.

The terrible tragedy happened close to Boris Johnson's dad Stanley's estate, who also made a statement following the sad news.

"Both I and my whole family are shocked, stunned and saddened by this tragic incident," he told the Guardian. "We very much regret the passing of Mrs Zurick. She was a neighbour and she was much loved. She was honorary secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society and was much loved for the work she did, in the society and in Exmoor and beyond."

Our thoughts are with Mrs Zurick's family during this difficult time.