Edward Pettifer, the 31-year-old stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who was Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny, has been confirmed as one of the victims in the New Orleans terror attack on New Year’s Day.
Edward was among the 14 individuals killed in the horrific act of terrorism, described by U.S. officials as an “evil” act. The New Orleans coroner has reported that the cause of death was “blunt force injuries.”
Edward was in New Orleans with another British national, who fortunately did not sustain injuries during the attack.
Sources reveal that the King was deeply saddened by the loss and has reached out to the family to offer his personal condolences. The Prince of Wales has also been informed of the tragic news.
Edward was the eldest son of former Coldstream Guards officer Charles Pettifer and Camilla Wyatt, who also share a son, Harry, aged 29, before their separation. Charles married Tiggy, who had been a close figure in the lives of William and Harry, in 1999. Tiggy had known Charles since they were teenagers.
Tiggy served as William and Harry’s nanny from 1993 to 1999, forming a special bond with the brothers, particularly as they navigated the grief of losing their mother, Princess Diana. It is also reported that Tiggy was Edward’s godmother.
Tiggy, now 59, runs a bed and breakfast at the family’s home near Crickhowell, Wales. She has two other sons, Tom, 22, who is William’s godson, and Fred, 23, who is Harry’s godson. Tom also served as a page boy at William and Catherine’s wedding in 2011.
Following Edward’s tragic passing, his family released a statement that read: “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 thoughts are with the other families who have lost loved ones in this terrible attack. We request privacy as we grieve the loss of Ed.”
