The brothers’ close family friend and the mother of their former childhood nanny died peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, it was confirmed on Monday.

A Trusted Confidante of the Royals

Dame Shan Legge-Bourke was also known for her role as Princess Anne’s lady-in-waiting and was regarded as one of the most trusted figures within the Royal Family’s inner circle. Over the years, she accompanied Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth II, and Queen Camilla on several official engagements.

She is believed to have developed a particularly close bond with William and Harry during their early years, forming a friendship that endured well into adulthood.

A Cherished Part of William and Harry’s Childhood

As children, the princes frequently visited Legge-Bourke’s Glanusk estate in Wales alongside their much-loved nanny, Tiggy Pettifer. It was during these visits that William and Harry are thought to have built a lasting connection with Dame Shan.

Tiggy, now 60, is Legge-Bourke’s eldest child. She is followed by Zara Gordon Lennox, 59, and Harry Legge-Bourke, 53.

In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, her family paid tribute to her life and legacy.

“We are devastated to lose our mother. She was an inspiration to us all, and to many people she met over her years of service to Wales, and the countless organisations and institutions she supported.

“A country girl at heart, she has left an indelible legacy at Glanusk, the wider countryside and beyond,” the statement read.

Life at the Glanusk Estate

Dame Shan inherited the historic Glanusk estate in the Brecon Beacons National Park when she was just five years old, following the death of her father.

Her life and work were later documented in a 2006 BBC Wales series titled The Lady of Ganusk, which followed the then-63-year-old as she managed the estate. The programme showed her tackling hands-on tasks such as climbing onto rooftops to clean gutters and carrying out electrical repairs.

In one episode, her daughter Zara remarked that her mother “can drive a tractor better than any man I’ve ever seen and can reverse it through a narrow gap with a trailer on the back of it.”

In 2015, Dame Shan received her damehood from Queen Elizabeth II. She also served as President of Save the Children in Wales, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.

A Difficult Year for the Family

Her passing follows a particularly painful year for her daughter Tiggy. Earlier this year, Tiggy’s stepson, Edward Pettifer, was among the 14 people killed in the New Orleans attack on New Year’s Day, when a truck drove into crowds.

Prince William paid tribute at the time, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.”

King Charles was also said to be “deeply saddened” by Dame Shan’s death and has been in contact with Tiggy’s family to offer his condolences.