Queen Camilla today joined 500 mourners at the funeral of her friend Ian Farquhar, following the death of the renowned equestrian and legendary hunting figure aged 78.
Captain Farquhar’s daughter Rose, who Prince William dated in 2000, was also serving in Badminton, Gloucestershire, with her husband George Gemmell.
William and his ‘first love’ Rose remain friends, and he attended her wedding to former professional polo player Mr Gemmell in nearby Tetbury in December 2022.
Captain Farquhar, who was also a close friend of King Charles III, previously lived on the monarch’s estate at Highgrove in the county where he rented a farm.
The elderly Etonian was found dead at his home near Chippenham in Wiltshire by his carer on the afternoon of March 6 after struggling to breathe, an inquest later heard.
Camilla arrives for Ian Farquhar’s funeral in Badminton, Gloucestershire today
Mr Farquhar’s daughter, Rose Farquhar, at St Michael and All Angels Church in Badminton today
Ian Farquhar has died aged 78
Today, Camilla attended Captain Farquhar’s memorial service at the Church of St Michael and All Angels on the Badminton estate, owned by the Duke of Beaufort.
The Queen, also representing the King, arrived in a green-grey family Audi before the service which was officiated by the Reverend Richard Thomson.
Camilla’s first husband, Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, previously revealed Farquhar had been in poor health for some months and called her death “very sad”.
Speaking to Richard Eden of the Daily Mail at the time, Parker Bowles described his friend as “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always very funny.”
Camilla arrives for Ian Farquhar’s funeral in Badminton, Gloucestershire today
Mr Farquhar’s daughter, Rose Farquhar, at St Michael and All Angels Church in Badminton today
He also said Farquhar would be “judged by history as one of the great dog masters”, having been Beaufort’s master of the hunt for 34 years.
Parker Bowles also described him as “a true countryman, a very good officer, a brave amateur horseman, a tough polo player and an excellent public speaker.”
Captain Farquhar, who also worked as the Queen Mother’s equerry, was known as “The Captain” in tribute to his service as a cavalry officer in the Queen’s Hussars.
After leaving the army, he married Pammie-Jane Chafer, with whom he had three daughters. They later separated, but years later they rekindled their friendship.