Members of the Royal Family are often among the first to extend condolences to families of those who have been impacted by incidents of serious crime.

But this one impacts them in a devastatingly personal way.

King Charles and Prince William were both informed through official channels that Edward Pettifer, 31, had been killed in the New Orleans terror attack on New Year’s Day.

Edward Pettifer, who died in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. Pic: Met Police

Image: Edward Pettifer. Pic: Met Police
Mr Pettifer, from Chelsea, was the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny, Alexandra Pettifer, more widely known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

From skiing holidays to school visits, Ms Legge-Bourke was known to be the brothers’ “favourite nanny” having looked after them between 1993 and 1999.

She was regarded as a reassuring presence through poignant and tumultuous moments, including their parents’ divorce and following the death of their mother, Princess Diana.

She was an older sister figure to the princess, a bond so deep the families remain in each other’s lives.