King Charles’s long-time friend Ian Farquhar has died aged 78 at the monarch’s Highgrove estate.
The renowned hunter also served as an equerry to the Queen Mother and even served in the Queen’s Own Hussars, a cavalry regiment of the British Army.
Farquhar was also close to Queen Camilla and lived on the king’s estate for many years in a rented farm. He is said to have died there on Wednesday morning.
Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, Camilla’s first husband and friend, told the Mail’s Richard Eden that the situation was “very sad” and that she had been in poor health for the past few months.
He described his friend as “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always very funny.” Parker Bowles added that ‘The Captain’, as Farquhar was known, will be ‘judged by history as one of the great Dog Masters’.
King Charles’s long-time friend Ian Farquhar has died aged 78 at the monarch’s Highgrove estate.
Farquhar would drive there and dine with the monarch, a source told Richard Eden.
The renowned hunter also served as an equerry to the Queen Mother and even served in the Queen’s Own Hussars, a cavalry regiment of the British Army.
One source said he used to cross fields to meet the monarch for dinner, but would abandon his car “when it became hopelessly stuck” and instead wait for tractors to rescue him.
Ian married Pammie-Jane Chafer after leaving the army and the couple had three daughters.
Farquhar and Charles became further intertwined when Prince William briefly dated Rose Farquhar in 2000 after finishing his A levels at Eton.
The couple met at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire and she was described as the Prince of Wales’s “first love” at the time.
William and Rose went on romantic picnics together in the Gloucestershire countryside before he met Kate at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
They remain friends to this day, as the Prince attended her wedding to George Gemmell in 2022.
Farquhar and Pammie-Jane separated and over time managed to rekindle their friendship, but continued to live apart.
Farquhar was also master of the Beaufort Hunt for 34 years, one of the largest and oldest fox hunting packs in England.
In an Instagram post, the page shared a video containing multiple images of Ian throughout his life and wrote: “Heartbroken we send our love and condolences to the family and friends of our own Captain Ian Farquhar, who so he brilliantly piloted us.” for 34 years and passed away peacefully this week.
Farquhar and Charles became further intertwined when Prince William briefly dated Rose Farquhar in 2000 after finishing his A levels at Eton.
William and Rose (pictured) remain friends to this day, with the Prince attending her wedding to George Gemmell in 2022.
Farquhar was also master of the Beaufort Hunt for 34 years, one of the largest and oldest fox hunting packs in England.
‘The “Captain”, as he was known to many, was loved and appreciated by the entire hunting community, as someone who was supportive, kind and always there with excellent forward-thinking advice for anyone who asked him.
“He had a tremendous sense of humor and anyone who was lucky enough to be in his company and hear stories of his extremely varied and adventurous life, both in the military and in the hunting world, will cherish those memories forever.”
The post said Mr Farquhar’s passions in life were his “dogs, his family and his dogs” and that he was a “true countryman and gentleman”.
This comes as King Charles continues treatment for his cancer while carrying out royal duties at the same time.
He met with the High Commissioner of Jamaica, Alexander Williams, who was joined by his wife Carol Watson-Williams, at Buckingham Palace yesterday.
The King has postponed all public engagements as he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, but has been conducting audiences and administrative duties behind Palace walls.
London-based high commissioners and ambassadors have a regular audience with the monarch shortly after assuming their duties.
Charles’ meeting came after he had a video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The King previously met with the ambassador of Algeria, Nourredine Yazid, and with Samba Mamadou, ambassador of Mauritania.
The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following unrelated hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate earlier this year.
He was treated at the same hospital as the Princess of Wales, who underwent abdominal surgery for an unknown condition in January.