London, 4 January 2025 – King Charles has expressed his profound sadness following the tragic death of Edward Pettifer, 31, in a terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Pettifer, the stepson of former royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, was killed in a horrific incident on Bourbon Street during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Sources at Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles is in contact with Pettifer’s family following this devastating loss.
Edward Pettifer’s Death
Pettifer, who was visiting Louisiana with a friend, was tragically struck by a pickup truck driven by a gunman, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42.
The gunman rammed into revellers, resulting in the deaths of Pettifer and 13 others, with all victims suffering from blunt force injuries. After a firefight with police, Jabbar was shot dead.
The Pettifer family described their loved one as a “wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend” and expressed their devastation at the loss. They extended their condolences to the other families affected by the attack.
Royal Connection
Edward Pettifer was the eldest son of Charles Pettifer, 59, a former security consultant, and his mother, Camilla Wyatt. His stepmother, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, is a prominent figure in the royal family. Between 1993 and 1999, she served as a nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry. Pettifer was close to the royals, with King Charles often seen alongside Tiggy and Prince William and Prince Harry maintaining contact with her to this day.
Pettifer’s half-brother, Tom Pettifer, was a page boy at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s 2011 wedding and was present at Prince Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding.
The Terror Attack
The tragic attack occurred when Jabbar drove his truck over a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. Jabbar is believed to have acted alone, with authorities discovering explosives inside the rented Ford F150 Lightning used to carry out the attack. Police later found more bombs planted nearby.
Jabbar posted several videos online before the attack, where he pledged support for ISIS and detailed his motives. He claimed that he initially planned to harm family members but changed his focus to a broader attack after concerns that the media would not cover it adequately. The FBI has confirmed there were no accomplices in the attack.
Concerns Over Future Attacks
The FBI’s investigation revealed that Jabbar had planned his attack meticulously. Agents raided Jabbar’s trailer in Houston, Texas, where they found evidence of bomb-making materials, including tools and chemicals. There are now concerns that high-profile public events, such as former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, could be potential targets for future terror attacks.
Security experts have urged US officials to increase their vigilance and preparation for potential threats. Authorities are confident they have contained the immediate risks of Jabbar’s actions.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by lone-wolf terrorists and the need for increased security measures in public spaces worldwide.
