After a period of declining health, Ian Farquhar, a resident of the Highgrove Estate farmhouse and a close friend of the King and Queen, passed away. Farquhar was a frequent dining companion at Highgrove and was affectionately known as ‘The Captain’ by his friends.

Farquhar, a renowned British huntsman, was also celebrated for his great company and sharp sense of humor. He had a distinguished background, having served as the Queen Mother’s equerry and later becoming a cavalry captain in the Queen’s Own Hussars. For many years, he lived in a farmhouse rented from the Highgrove Estate, where he formed a close bond with the King and Queen. His death was reported on Wednesday morning.

Andrew Parker Bowles, the Queen’s first husband and a close friend, expressed his sadness over Farquhar’s passing in an interview with Richard Eden of the Daily Mail. He mentioned that Farquhar’s health had been deteriorating and recalled him as someone who was “wild as a hawk” in his youth, but always great fun. Farquhar was highly competent in his work, took it seriously, and was well-loved for his vibrant personality. Parker Bowles added that Farquhar would be remembered as one of the great Masters of Hounds.

A royal insider noted that Farquhar had become an integral part of the daily life at Highgrove, with the King appreciating having a close friend nearby. Farquhar often walked across the Highgrove fields to join the King for dinner, though there were times he drove until his car became stuck, at which point he would walk the rest of the way, leaving the vehicle to be retrieved later.

After retiring from the Army, Farquhar married Pammie-Jane Chafer, and the couple had three daughters. Farquhar’s bond with the King was further strengthened when his daughter, Rose Farquhar, became Prince William’s first love after the Prince graduated from Eton in 2000. Though their relationship didn’t last, William and Rose remained friends, and he attended her wedding to George Gemmell in 2022.

Farquhar was best known as the Master of the Beaufort Hunt, the oldest and largest hunt in the West Country. The Beaufort Hunt shared their sorrow on Instagram, posting a series of photos of Farquhar and expressing their condolences to his family and friends. They praised Farquhar for his friendly demeanor, helpfulness, and innovative thinking, noting that his sense of humor and stories from his varied life in the army and hunting would never be forgotten.

Farquhar was more than just a countryman; he was a passionate individual who deeply cared about the things that mattered to him and was highly respected by those around him. His loss is particularly difficult for the King, who regarded him as a trusted confidant and a source of humor.

As the King travels between Sandringham and London for medical treatment, Farquhar’s death adds to his burdens. The King has canceled most of his public engagements, now relying on helicopter travel between Sandringham and London for treatment and official duties before returning to Sandringham to rest.

Despite his reduced public schedule, the King continues to meet with foreign leaders and the Prime Minister and remains engaged with state matters. Recently, he received Jamaica’s High Commissioner, Alexander Williams, and his wife, Carol Watson-Williams, at Buckingham Palace. Though the Queen met with Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, last week, the King did not participate. Nevertheless, he remains active behind closed doors, including a recent video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.