Ian Farquhar, Father of Prince William’s ‘First Love’ Rose Farquhar, Died While Intoxicated, Inquest Reveals

Mar. 15, 2025

Captain Ian Farquhar, joint master of the Beaufort Hunt sounds the hunting horn to start the Beaufort Hunt’s Opening Meet at Worcester Lodge, on Nov. 5, 2005 in Gloucestershire, England.Photo:Matt Cardy/Getty

Matt Cardy/Getty

The cause of death of Ian Farquhar — who had close ties to the royal family, including serving as an equerry tothe Queen Mother— has been revealed following an inquest.Farquhar, who was 78 at the time of his death on March 6, died after becoming trapped between his bed and a wall while intoxicated, according to the inquest.The Telegraphreported that Farquhar, a retired Army captain, “was found with his legs up in the air above his bedside table.”In addition to serving the Queen Mother as an equerry, Farquhar was also a close friend ofKing CharlesandQueen Camillaand the father ofPrince William’s first serious girlfriend, Rose Farquhar.Farquhar’s blood alcohol level was 4.5 times over the legal limit when he died, and his daughter Victoria told the coroner in the case that her father developed a drinking problem in his later years.“He would drink a liter of gin and a couple of bottles of wine in a day,” she said.Ian Farquhar.Barry Batchelor - PA Images/gettyThe inquest into Farquhar’s death revealed an empty bottle of Gordon’s gin, two empty wine bottles and a half-empty bottle of whisky were found on his property at the time of his death.“He did try and stop — and he would for a couple of weeks,” Victoria said. “Doctors advised Ian that if he did not look after himself, he would die.”One of Farquhar’s other daughters, Rose, dated Prince William before the current Prince of Wales, 42, metKate Middletonwhile both were students at the University of St. Andrews.The Telegraphdescribed Rose as William’s “first love,” and after their breakup the two remained friends, with Prince William even attending Rose’s wedding to former professional polo player George Gemmell in December 2022.Prince William at the wedding of Rose Farquhar on Dec. 17, 2022.James Whatling / MEGAWilliam and Rose dated in 2000, right around the time of William’s graduation from Eton College and before he went to university in the fall of 2001. According toTatler, the former couple met at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire and “their relationship was an intense one, but did not last into their university days.”Rose is a singer who has appeared on the BBC talent showHow Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?andThe Voice, which she appeared on in 2016.Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!Farquhar, for his part, was a regular presence at King Charles’ Highgrove estate, where he previously rented a farmhouse, often walking to the main house for dinner. Queen Camilla and her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles were in attendance at a memorial service in Farquhar’s honor in May, and Andrew described his friend, affectionately known to many as “Captain,” as “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always great fun.”

The cause of death of Ian Farquhar — who had close ties to the royal family, including serving as an equerry tothe Queen Mother— has been revealed following an inquest.

Farquhar, who was 78 at the time of his death on March 6, died after becoming trapped between his bed and a wall while intoxicated, according to the inquest.The Telegraphreported that Farquhar, a retired Army captain, “was found with his legs up in the air above his bedside table.”

In addition to serving the Queen Mother as an equerry, Farquhar was also a close friend ofKing CharlesandQueen Camillaand the father ofPrince William’s first serious girlfriend, Rose Farquhar.

Farquhar’s blood alcohol level was 4.5 times over the legal limit when he died, and his daughter Victoria told the coroner in the case that her father developed a drinking problem in his later years.

“He would drink a liter of gin and a couple of bottles of wine in a day,” she said.

Ian Farquhar.Barry Batchelor - PA Images/getty

Barry Batchelor - PA Images/getty

The inquest into Farquhar’s death revealed an empty bottle of Gordon’s gin, two empty wine bottles and a half-empty bottle of whisky were found on his property at the time of his death.

“He did try and stop — and he would for a couple of weeks,” Victoria said. “Doctors advised Ian that if he did not look after himself, he would die.”

One of Farquhar’s other daughters, Rose, dated Prince William before the current Prince of Wales, 42, metKate Middletonwhile both were students at the University of St. Andrews.The Telegraphdescribed Rose as William’s “first love,” and after their breakup the two remained friends, with Prince William even attending Rose’s wedding to former professional polo player George Gemmell in December 2022.

Prince William at the wedding of Rose Farquhar on Dec. 17, 2022.James Whatling / MEGA

William and Rose dated in 2000, right around the time of William’s graduation from Eton College and before he went to university in the fall of 2001. According toTatler, the former couple met at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire and “their relationship was an intense one, but did not last into their university days.”

Rose is a singer who has appeared on the BBC talent showHow Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?andThe Voice, which she appeared on in 2016.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Farquhar, for his part, was a regular presence at King Charles’ Highgrove estate, where he previously rented a farmhouse, often walking to the main house for dinner. Queen Camilla and her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles were in attendance at a memorial service in Farquhar’s honor in May, and Andrew described his friend, affectionately known to many as “Captain,” as “wild as a hawk in his youth, but always great fun.”

source: people.com