Tiggy Legge-Bourke has played a significant role in the childhoods of Prince William and Prince Harry. As their former nanny, she shared a close bond with the royal brothers during their formative years. Tragically, recent news revealed a devastating connection to her family. Edward Pedder, her stepson, was among the victims of a New Orleans terror attack on New Year’s Day. The 31-year-old British man lost his life in the incident, which has left his family and the royal circle deeply shaken.
In a heartfelt statement, Prince William expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. “Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pedder. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pedder family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack,” he wrote. It is understood that King Charles has also been informed of the tragedy and has shared his personal condolences with the family.
Edward Pedder, originally from Chelsea in West London, was killed when a rented SUV was driven into a crowd on Bourbon Street. The suspected driver, 42-year-old Army veteran Samsudin Jabar, is now in custody. Edward was the eldest son of Charles Pedder, a former Coldstream Guards officer, and C.A. Wyatt, the daughter of a prominent horse breeder. His family’s connection to Tiggy Legge-Bourke has drawn attention to the tragic event.
Tiggy, who married Charles Pedder after his first marriage, is best remembered for her bond with Prince William and Prince Harry during the 1990s. Her time as their nanny was not without controversy, as tensions reportedly existed between her and Princess Diana. At one point, Tiggy referred to Harry and William as “my babies,” a term that reportedly upset Diana. The late princess’s paranoia was reportedly fueled by false claims that Tiggy had an affair with Prince Charles and had even aborted his child.
These allegations were later revealed to be baseless, as confirmed by the BBC following an investigation into the infamous Panorama interview with Princess Diana. Tiggy stated, “I’m disappointed that I needed legal action for the BBC to recognize the serious harm I’ve been subjected to. Sadly, I am one of many people whose lives have been scarred by the deceitful way in which the BBC Panorama was made and the BBC’s subsequent failure to properly investigate the making of the program.” The BBC publicly acknowledged that the allegations against Tiggy were unfounded and apologized for the damage caused.
Tiggy began working for the royal family in 1993, wholeheartedly embracing her role as nanny. She organized outdoor excursions, holidays, and activities such as hunting, fishing, and shooting for the young princes. Her close bond with William and Harry often brought her into the spotlight. For example, William once invited Tiggy to attend a July 4th celebration at Eton College in place of his parents.
Despite controversies, Tiggy’s close relationship with the princes endured. Both William and Harry remain fond of her to this day. Harry even introduced Tiggy to Meghan Markle during a trip to Cardiff. The princes are godparents to Tiggy’s sons, and her son Tom served as a page boy at William’s 2011 wedding. Tiggy was also a special guest at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in May 2018.
Tiggy’s connections to the royal family extend beyond her time as a nanny. Her mother served as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Anne, while her brother Harry was a page of honor to Queen Elizabeth II. Today, Tiggy lives on the Glanusk Estate in Wales with her husband and their two sons, along with two stepsons. She now runs a bed and breakfast called Ty Shanter, which boasts a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor.
