The stepfather of Prince Harry's former girlfriend took his own life with an overdose, an inquest has heard.

Entrepreneur Christopher Shaw, 76, who was married to Cressida Bonas's mother Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon during the 1990s, had been suffering from ill-health.

Mr Shaw, an Old Etonian and former Grenadier Guards officer, was found on January 17 this year at his home in Salisbury by his housekeeper and landlord after they had become concerned for his welfare.

After his death, police found a 12-inch high pile of papers with information about different ways of committing suicide, the inquest in Salisbury heard.

Mr Shaw had been diagnosed with chronic renal failure and was told that he needed kidney dialysis.

Housekeeper Nicola Smith, who prepared his meals daily, said Mr Shaw had discussed his failing health with her and was prescribed a range of medications.

"I knew from conversations with him that at some point he would have to go on dialysis, which he was not prepared to do," she said.

"I would say six or seven months prior to him being deceased he was told by his GP in London that without dialysis he had two years to live."

When Miss Smith could not open the front door of his flat she went to see his landlord Charles Bartlett, who lived in the basement of the property close to Salisbury Cathedral, and they found him.

Pc James Nicholson said: "There was paperwork in the study, which did relate to a euthanasia website, which had been downloaded and printed from Mr Shaw's email account."

Pc Nicholson said he did not find a note and police concluded there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Shaw's death.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Shaw died from an overdose.

Assistant Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner Dr Claire Balysz recorded a conclusion that Mr Shaw took his own life.

No members of Mr Shaw's family were present at the hearing.

Miss Bonas reportedly began dating Prince Harry in April 2012 after being introduced by Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie.

In April this year, it was confirmed they had split amicably but remained the best of friends.