Prince William has been left “saddened” after his childhood nanny’s stepson was killed in the New Year’s US terror attack.
Edward Pettifer from the UK was among 14 people who died in the horror incident after a pickup truck ploughed through crowds of revellers in New Orleans. The first-in-line to the throne today told how he and wife Kate were “saddened” by the 31-year-old’s death.
The King has written privately to the victim’s “devastated” family to share his personal condolences, Royal sources confirmed. The Monarch was made aware of Mr Pettifer’s death by Royal aides and “deeply saddened”, the Mirror has been told.
Mr Pettifer’s dad is married to Alexandra Pettifer, 59, known as Tiggy, who cared for Prince William and Harry when they were children Tiggy’s son Tom was pageboy at Prince William and Kate’s 2011 wedding and is godson to Prince William. Tiggy is also godmother to Prince Harry ’s son, Archie.
On X, William said: “Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.”
In a statement, the family of Mr Pettifer’, from London, said: “The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many. We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.”
Scotland Yard is supporting Mr Pettifer’s family. The New Year’s Day attack took place in Bourbon Street – a bustling location in the heart of the Louisiana city’s French Quarter – and also injured at least 35 others. Evidence indicates US army veteran suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar was inspired by the so-called Islamic State terror group. After his rampage, the 42-year-old Texan is said to have gotten out of the vehicle and fired a gun before being shot dead by police.
The New Orleans coroner gave the preliminary cause of Mr Pettifer’s death as “blunt force injuries”. The Brit was the eldest son of ex-Coldstream Guards Officer Charles Pettifer and Camilla Wyatt. Following his parents’ split, his dad married Tiggy Legge-Bourke.
She was nanny to the princes from 1993 until 1999. Tiggy was so beloved that Prince William is said to have invited her to Eton’s version of speech day instead of his mum and dad. In 2022, it was reported the BBC was paying damages to Tiggy over false claims made about her to obtain Panorama’s infamous Princess Diana interview. She got a High Court apology over unfounded allegations she had an affair with the King and had an abortion.
The Metropolitan Police said family liaison officers are supporting Mr Pettifer’s family and helping them through the process of returning his body to the UK. The Foreign Office also said it was supporting the victim’s family and was in contact with US authorities.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a press conference the victims and their families “matter” to the entire city. “Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to the victim’s families,” she said. The attack took place at around 3.15am local time on 1 January. The New Orleans coroner said one of those killed remains unidentified with the others coming from the US – the youngest aged 18 and the oldest 63.
It is believed the suspect acted alone. An Islamic State flag was found inside the vehicle and explosive devices were found nearby, the FBI confirmed. Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden said the attacker posted a video which indicated he was inspired by the Islamic State group.
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