King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of Briton Edward Pettifer
King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in a car attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, palace sources said.
Edward Pettifer, 31, who was among the 14 people killed in the attack, is the adopted son of Alexandra Pettifer, formerly known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who looked after Prince William and Prince Harry when they were children.
The King has been in touch with Mr Pettifer’s family to offer his condolences, palace sources told the BBC.
In a statement, Mr Pettifer’s family described him as “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to many”.
The January 1 attack saw the 42-year-old US Army veteran drive a truck into crowds on New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street before being shot by police.
The New Orleans coroner gave Mr Pettifer’s initial cause of death as “blunt injuries”, the PA reported.
The Prince of Wales has been informed of Mr Pettifer’s death, Kensington Palace said.
Prince Harry has also been informed but will not comment publicly on the news.
The suspect, whose name is Shamsud-Din Jabbar, he is believed to have acted alone “in a planned and malicious act”, the FBI said.
It added that a flag of the Islamic State group was found inside the car.
Two explosive devices were also found nearby, according to police.
A famous American college football player, a young nurse as well the mother of a four-year-old child is among the victims.
At least 39 people were injured in the attack, which took place in the city’s French Quarter – a bustling area popular with locals and tourists – at around 03:15 (09:15 GMT) on Wednesday.
Some of the injured have been released from the hospital – but there are more than ten, others are being treated in the ICU.
Mr. Pettifer, of Chelsea, London, was present named by the Metropolitan Police as one of the dead on Saturday morning.
His family said in a statement they were “saddened by the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans”.
“We will all miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost family members to this terrible incident.
“Please let us grieve the loss of Ed as a family privately. Thank you.”
In a statement, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said it supports Mr Pettifer’s family.
Ms Pettifer joined King Charles’ staff in 1993 when he became the Prince of Wales.
He became a close friend of the young princes following the separation of Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Mrs. Pettifer often accompanied the two princes on vacation and, after Diana’s death, helped them adjust to the loss of their mother.
In 1999, Mrs Pettifer – née Legge-Bourke – married security adviser Charles Pettifer in a private ceremony in Wales, attended by William and Harry.
Source link