Queen Camilla arrives at memorial service for King Charles’ close friend Captain Ian Farquhar after his death aged 78
Queen Camilla joined 500 mourners at the funeral of her friend Ian Farquhar today, following the death of the famous horseman and legendary hunting figure at the age of 78.
Captain Farquhar’s daughter Rose, who Prince William dated in 2000, was also on duty at 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 close friends with King Charles III, previously lived at the monarch’s Highgrove estate in the county where he rented a farm.
The Old 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 today for Ian Farquhar’s memorial service in Badminton, Gloucestershire
Mr Farquhar’s daughter, Rose Farquhar, today at St Michael and All Angels Church in Badminton
Ian Farquhar died at the age of 78
Today Camilla attended the memorial service for Captain Farquhar at St Michael and All Angels’ Church on the badminton estate owned by the Duke of Beaufort.
The Queen, also representing the King, arrived in a green-grey Audi station wagon ahead of the service led by the Reverend Richard Thomson.
Camilla’s first husband, Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, previously revealed that Farquhar had been in poor health for several months and called his death “very sad.”
Speaking to Richard Eden of the Daily Mail, Parker Bowles described his friend at the time as “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always great fun.”
Camilla arrives today for Ian Farquhar’s memorial service in Badminton, Gloucestershire
Mr Farquhar’s daughter, Rose Farquhar, today at St Michael and All Angels Church in Badminton
He also said Mr Farquhar would ‘be judged by history as one of the great Masters of Dogs’, having been Master of the Beaufort Hunt for 34 years.
Parker Bowles also described him as ‘a true countryman, a very good officer, a brave amateur rider, a hard-working 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 Own Hussars.
After leaving the army, he married Pammie-Jane Chafer, with whom he had three daughters. They then separated, but their friendship rekindled in later years.