King deeply saddened by the death of the British Edward Pettyfer

King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a Briton killed in a car attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, palace sources say.

Edward Pettyfer, 31, who was among the 14 people killed in the attack, is believed to be the stepson of Alexandra Pettyfer, known as Tiggy, who looked after Prince William and Prince Harry when they were children.

The king has contacted Mr Pettyfer's family to offer his personal condolences, palace sources told the BBC.

In a tribute, Mr Pettyfer's family described him as “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many”.

The January 1 attack saw a 42-year-old US Army veteran drive a pickup truck into crowds on New Orleans' famous Bourbon Street before being shot by police.

The New Orleans medical examiner listed Mr. Pettyfer's preliminary cause of death as “blunt force trauma,” the PA reported.

The Prince of Wales has been notified of Mr Pettyfer's death, Kensington Palace said.

Prince Harry will not publicly comment on the news.

The suspect, named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, believed to have acted alone in a “premeditated and evil act,” the FBI said.

He added that an Islamic State flag was found in the vehicle.

Two improvised explosive devices were also found nearby, according to police.

A famous American college football player, a young aspiring nurse and a mother of a four-year-old child is among the victims.

At least 39 people were also injured in the attack, which took place in the city's French Quarter – a bustling nightlife area popular with locals and tourists – around 03:15 (09:15 GMT) on Wednesday.

Some of the injured have been released from the hospital, but more than a dozen remain, with some being treated in the intensive care unit.

Mr. Pettyfer, of Chelsea, London, was named by the metropolitan police among the victims on Saturday morning.

His family said in a statement that they were “devastated by the tragic news of Ed's death in New Orleans.”

“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost family members to this terrible attack.

“We ask that we mourn the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.'

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Development said it supported Mr Pettyfer's family.