The Briton killed in the New Orleans attack was the stepson of a former royal nanny by Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) – British police announced that one of the victims of the attack that occurred on New Year’s Day in New Orleans was named Edward Pettyfer (31 years old), from London, and whose stepmother was a nanny for Prince William and Prince Harry.

He was among 14 people killed by a former US Army soldier who had pledged allegiance to ISIS and rammed his truck into a crowd of revelers.

“The entire family is devastated by the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans,” the Pettyfer family said in a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police.

William said that he and his wife, Kate, were “shocked and saddened” by the news.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettyfer family and all those innocent people who were tragically affected by this horrific attack,” he said in a message on social media.

A royal source said King Charles was also deeply saddened to learn of Pettyfer’s death and had been in contact with the family to offer his personal condolences.

Pettyfer’s father, Charles, a former British Army officer, married Tiggy Legge-Bourke in 1999 shortly after she stepped down as nanny to William and Harry.

The family has remained close to the British royal family, and Pettyfer’s half-brother, Tom, was present at William’s wedding in 2011.