Ian Farquhar, an old friend and famous hunter of King Charles, dies aged 78 at the monarch’s Highgrove estate, where he lived

Ian Farquhar, a long-time friend of King Charles, has died at the monarch’s Highgrove estate aged 78.

The famous hunter was also the Queen Mother’s equerry and even served in the Queen’s Own Hussars, a cavalry regiment of the British Army.

Mr Farquhar was also close to Queen Camilla and lived on the king’s estate in a rented farmhouse for many years. It is said he died there on Wednesday morning.

Sergeant Andrew Parker Bowles, Camilla’s first husband and friend, told the Mail’s Richard Eden that the situation was “very sad” and that he had been in poor health in recent months.

He described his friend as “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always a lot of fun.” Parker Bowles added that ‘The Captain’, as Farquhar was known, ‘will be judged by history as one of the great Master of Hounds’.

Mr Farquhar would drive there and dine with the monarch, a source told Richard Eden

The famous hunter also served as the Queen Mother’s equerry and even served in the Queen’s Own Hussars, a cavalry regiment of the British Army

One source said he often trekked through the fields to meet the monarch for dinner, but left his car “when it got hopelessly stuck” and instead waited for it to be rescued by tractors.

Ian married Pammie-Jane Chafer after leaving the army and the couple had three daughters.

Farquhar and Charles became further intertwined when Prince William briefly dated Rose Farquhar in 2000 after completing his A-levels at Eton.

The couple met at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire and she was described at the time as the Prince of Wales’s ‘first love’.

William and Rose went on romantic picnics together in the Gloucestershire countryside before he met Kate at St Andrews University in Scotland.

They are still friends to this day, as the prince attended her wedding to George Gemmell in 2022.

Farquhar and Pammie-Jane separated and as time went on, they managed to rekindle their friendship, but they continued to live separately.

Mr Farquhar was also Master of the Beaufort Yacht for 34 years. It is the oldest and largest fox hunt in the West Country.

Fox hunting was made illegal in 2004, but the Hunting Act allows groups to hunt using animal scent.

In an Instagram post, the page shared a video with multiple images of Ian throughout his life and wrote: ‘It is with broken hearts that we send our love and condolences to the family and friends of our very own Captain Ian Farquhar, who guided us so brilliantly . For 34 years and passed away peacefully this week.

Farquhar and Charles became further intertwined when Prince William briefly dated Rose Farquhar in 2000 after completing his A-levels at Eton.

William and Rose (pictured) are still friends to this day, as the prince attended her wedding to George Gemmell in 2022

Mr Farquhar was also Master of the Beaufort Hunt, one of the oldest and largest fox hunting packs in England, for 34 years

‘Captain’, as he was known to many, was loved and cherished by the entire yachting community, as someone who was supportive, friendly and always present with excellent forward-thinking advice to anyone who asked him for it.

‘He had a wicked sense of humor and anyone who was fortunate enough to be in his company and listen to stories of his extremely varied and adventurous life, both in the military and hunting world, will hold those memories forever.’

The post said Mr Farquhar’s passions were his ‘dogs, his family and dogs’ and that he was a ‘true countryman and gentleman’.

News of his friend’s death comes as King Charles continues treatment for his cancer while fulfilling royal duties.

He met the High Commissioner of Jamaica, Alexander Williams, who was accompanied by his wife Carol Watson-Williams at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

The king has postponed all public engagements as he continues his treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, but has been conducting audiences and office duties behind the palace walls.

High commissioners and ambassadors in London have a customary audience with the monarch shortly after taking up their roles.

Charles’ meeting came after he held a video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The king previously met with the Ambassador of Algeria, Nourredine Yazid, and Samba Mamadou, Ambassador of Mauritania.

The king was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year after hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate, which was unrelated to him.

He was treated at the same hospital as the Princess of Wales, who underwent abdominal surgery for an unknown condition in January.