Edward Pettifer, the 31-year-old stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny, was identified as one of 14 victims in a New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. Pettifer, from Chelsea, London, died from blunt force injuries when a pickup truck drove into crowds on Bourbon Street.
The Prince of Wales expressed that he and Catherine were “shocked and saddened” by the death. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who this horrific attack has tragically impacted,” William stated. King Charles, reportedly “deeply saddened,” has contacted the Pettifer family. Prince Harry was informed but chose not to comment publicly.
The incident occurred at approximately 03:15 local time in the French Quarter, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US Army veteran, drove into crowds before being fatally shot by police. The FBI characterized it as a “premeditated and evil act” and discovered an Islamic State group flag in the vehicle, along with two improvised explosive devices nearby.
The attack injured 39 people, with more than a dozen still hospitalized, some in intensive care. Among the deceased were an American college football player, an aspiring nurse, and the mother of a four-year-old.
The Pettifer family released a statement saying they were “devastated” and requested privacy to grieve. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed British support for the victim’s family and solidarity with the US against terror threats.
Edward’s stepmother, Alexandra “Tiggy” Pettifer (nรฉe Legge-Bourke), served as nanny to Prince William and Harry from 1993, following Charles and Diana’s separation. She played a crucial role in the princes’ upbringing, particularly after Diana’s death, and married security consultant Charles Pettifer in 1999 at a ceremony attended by both princes.
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