Prince William 'shocked and saddened' after former nanny's stepson and friend dies in New Orleans attack

The royals have revealed their link to a victim of the New Orleans terror attack, expressing their condolences to the family.

Edward Pettifer, 31, was the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who is now known as Alexandra "Tiggy" Pettifer.

Legge-Bourke, 59, was the brother's nanny for most of their formative years. She was very close to King Charles, as well as his sons.

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She is the godmother to Harry's son Prince Archie, and William is the godfather to her younger son, Tom.

Edward, who is originally from Chelsea in south-west London, was friends with the royal brothers, especially Harry, having attended his wedding to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in 2018.

William and Catherine, Princess of Wales have expressed their condolences in a public statement shared on social media.

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"Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack," wrote William.

The BBC has also heard from palace sources that King Charles has also been informed of Edward's death and is "deeply saddened" by the loss. He has reportedly reached out to the family personally.

Prince Harry has also been informed of the news but will not be commenting publicly, according to the outlet.

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Edward's family described him in a tribute as a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many".

Edward was one of 14 victims of a terror attack in New Orleans that occurred on New Year's Day.

A pick-up truck, driven by a 42-year-old US Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar had rammed into crowds in New Orleans' French Quarter, on the famous Bourbon Street.

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The coroner's office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as "blunt force injuries." 30 others were also injured in the attack.

Jabbar was fatally shot at the scene in a firefight with police.

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