Prince William has reached out to share his condolences with the family of Edward Pettifer, who tragically lost his life in the New Orleans terror attack. Pettifer, aged 31, was identified as one of 14 victims killed on New Year’s Day when a truck was driven into a crowd by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former U.S. Army veteran linked to the Islamic State.

Jabbar's attack occurred in the bustling French Quarter of New Orleans, where he also injured several others before being shot by police. In a statement released via Kensington Palace's social media, Prince William expressed deep sorrow and indicated that he and Catherine were both shocked by the loss. They shared their heartfelt thoughts and prayers with the Pettifer family and all those affected by this horrific incident.

The connection between the royal family and the Pettifers runs deep, as Edward's half-brother Tom is one of Prince William's godsons and was a page boy at his royal wedding in 2011. Tiggy Pettifer, who is linked to the royal family, served as a nanny for William and his brother Harry during their childhood after their parents' separation. In a statement, the Pettifer family expressed their devastation at Edward's passing, highlighting the void his loss has created in their lives. Following the attack, Bourbon Street reopened to the public just three days later.