Prince William is mourning the death of Edward “Ed” Pettifer, son of his former…

Prince William is mourning the death of Edward “Ed” Pettifer, son of his former nanny, Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans.

Prince William Reacts to Death of Former Nanny’s Stepson in New Orleans Terrorist Attack

The deadly New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans hit close to home for Prince William and Prince Harry.

London’s Metropolitan Police has identified Edward “Ed” Pettifer—stepson of the brothers’ former nanny Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke—as one of the victims.

“Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer,” William said in a message posted on his and wife Kate Middleton’s Instagram Stories Jan. 4. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.”

Ed’s family also spoke out about the death of the 31-year-old. “He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many,” they said in a statement posted on the website of the Metropolitan Police Jan. 4. “We will all miss him terribly.”

The statement continued, “Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.”

William, 42, has known Tiggy for over three decades. His and Harry’s father King Charles III had hired her, his past personal assistant, in 1993—soon after he and the siblings’ mother Princess Diana split.

Metropolitan Police

William, 42, has known Tiggy for over three decades. His and Harry’s father King Charles III had hired her, his past personal assistant, in 1993—soon after he and the siblings’ mother Princess Diana split.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Tiggy accompanied the brothers on vacations and was there for them after the Princess of Wales’ death in 1997.

Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

Two years later, Tiggy retired from her royal role when she married Ed’s father, former British army officer Charles Pettifer, who is also a dad to another son, Harry, from a previous marriage. The couple are also parents to sons Fred and Tom, who served as a page boy at William and Kate’s 2011 wedding.

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy also issued a statement after news of Ed’s death. “Extremely saddened to hear the tragic news that a British man was among those killed during the attack in New Orleans,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “We are supporting his family and stand united with the US against terror threats.”

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