King Charles has been dealt another heartbreaking blow as one of his close friends has died. Ian Farquhar, a longstanding pal of the King and Queen Camilla died on Wednesday, March 6 aged 78.
Mr Farquhar lived on the King’s Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire and for many years rented a farmhouse there, reports MailOnline. Queen Camilla’s first husband Andrew Parker Bowles has paid tribute to Mr Farquhar who was also father to an ex-girlfriend of Prince William, Rose.
Mr Parker Bowles said his friend was “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always great fun” and that he will be “judged by history as one of the great Master of Hounds”.
He added he was a “real countryman, a very good officer, a brave amateur rider, a hard-riding polo player and an excellent public speaker”.
A source also told the Daily Mail Diary Editor Richard Eden that Mr Farquhar “used to go and have dinner with the King and drive home across the fields” but added that sometimes the journey home would see him abandon his bogged down car.
Mr Farquhar also served as an equerry to the Queen Mother – an equerry being an officer of the British royal household who attends or assists members of the royal family.
The second of Mr Farquhar’s three daughters – Rose – dated a young Prince William in 2000 after he had finished his A Levels at Eton.
Although their time as a couple was short they are still friends, with William attending Rose’s wedding to George Gemmell in 2022. Rose Farquhar tied the knot with George at St Mary the Virgin in Gloucestershire in a wintery wedding with lots of guests.
The news of the wedding was announced in September 2022 and at the time Mr Farquhar – who was the former Master of the Beaufort Hunt – told the Daily Mail: “He could not be a more charming son-in-law for the future.
“The Gemmels have been friends of ours for years. We’re absolutely delighted.” King Charles last week also suffered the loss of one of his closest friends and confidants Lord (Jacob) Rothschild who died at the age of 87.
The prominent banker and financier was part of the renowned Rothschild banking family.
