Who is Edward Pettifer, who died in New Orleans?

The Windsors took turns to send their condolences to the family of Edward Pettifer, a young Briton who died in the January 1 attack in New Orleans. Here are the links that united him to the royal family.

“Catherine and I were shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically affected by this horrific attack.” It is with these few words, published on the social network X, that Prince William honored the memory of Edward Pettifer. One of 14 people killed in the vehicular attack in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans at first light on New Year’s Day.

Because Edward Pettifer, “Ed”, was not only a compatriot of Prince William. Nor one of the innocent victims of a crowd celebrating the New Year on a festive thoroughfare. He was also the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, William and Harry’s former nanny, between 1993 and 1999.

A link still so close between the former “nanny” and the two princes that William is today the godfather of his youngest son, Tom, 22 years old. His other son, Fred, 23, who is Prince Harry’s godson. That’s not all. Tiggy Legge-Bourke is also the godmother of Prince Archie, Harry and Meghan’s eldest son.

Charles III also informed

It must be said that Tiggy Legge-Bourke proved to be a valuable support for the two princes after the death of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Now responsible for a bed and breakfast in Wales, where she teaches her clients fly fishing, the former governess has maintained a close relationship with each of King Charles’s two sons, further specifies the Telegraph.

Tiggy Legge-Bourke, Ed’s stepmother, was Harry and William’s nanny for six years.Image: Sygma

Edward Pettifer, who lived in Chelsea, west London, was the eldest son of Charles Pettifer, a former officer in the Coldstream Guards, and Camilla Wyatt. After the couple split in the mid-’90s, Charles Pettifer married Tiggy Legge-Bourke, whom he had known for years.

Like his mother-in-law, Ed Pettifer was an avid fisherman and skier. Although little information is still available regarding his profession, he would have attended the Stowe School, a prestigious British boarding school. According to a statement from the New Orleans coroner, the young man died from “injuries inflicted by blunt objects.” He was then in Louisiana with another Briton, who was not injured at the time of the attack.

Ed Pettifer was an avid fisherman and skier.image: METROPOLITAN POLICE

As for his family, she said in a statement: “The entire family is devastated by the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many. We will all miss him terribly. Our hearts go out to other families who have lost family members to this terrible attack. We ask to be able to mourn the loss of Ed with family, in private.”

All other named victims from Wednesday’s attack are U.S. nationals, although efforts to identify a victim are still underway.

According to sources close to Buckingham Palace, the king, who was informed of the death of Edward Pettifer through official channels, would be “deeply saddened”. Charles III would have contacted his family to offer his personal condolences. According to British media, it appears that Harry was also informed.

More articles on the British royal family