The king’s close friend Captain Ian Farquhar has died. He was 78 years old.

Ian had been friends with both the King and Queen Camilla for a long time. He had also been the Queen Mother’s rider.

He was also a famous hunter and a great horseman who served in the Queen’s Own Hussars.

Another blow to the King, who already has to deal with his own cancer diagnosis. Lord (Jacob) Rothschild died last week at the age of 87.

In 2000, when Prince William was on his gap year, he dated Ian’s daughter Rose Farquhar. The two went on romantic picnics in the Gloucestershire countryside. 

Ian had rented a farmhouse on the King’s Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire for many years.

Stephen Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla’s first husband, told the Daily Mail that Ian had been very sick.

Andy told them that Ian had died at Highgrove early Wednesday morning.

He said the man was “as wild as a hawk when he was young, but always a lot of fun.”

He said that Ian would go down in history as “one of the great Master of Hounds.”

For 34 years, Ian was Master of the Beaufort Hunt. 

This is what the Beaufort Hunt wrote on Instagram to honor its former master.

The hunt said, “It breaks our hearts to send our love and condolences to the family and friends of our own Captain Ian Farquhar. He flew us so well for 34 years and died peacefully this week.”

“Many people in the hunting community loved and respected him as “Captain.” He was helpful, friendly, and always there to give great, forward-thinking advice to anyone who asked.

“He had a wicked sense of humor, and anyone who was lucky enough to be with him and hear about his very different and exciting life in the army and as a hunter will remember those times forever.” 

Captain loved hounds, his family, and dogs. We know that up there, a whole pack of dogs will be waiting for him, excited to be with him again.

“A true countryman and a true gent – he will be hugely missed.”