LONDON (Reuters) – British police have named one of the victims of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans as Edward Pettifer, a 31-year-old from London whose stepmother was a nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry.
The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans, a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan Police said.
Prince William and his wife Kate were “shocked and saddened” by the news and sent their condolences to the Pettifer family and all those impacted by the attack. A royal source said King Charles was also deeply saddened to learn of Pettifer’s death and had been in touch with the family to pass on his personal condolences.
Pettifer’s father, Charles, a former British army officer, married Tiggy Legge-Bourke in 1999 shortly after she had stepped down as nanny to William and Harry. The family remained close to British royalty, with Pettifer’s stepbrother, Tom, serving as a page at William’s wedding in 2011.