The Prince of Wales has had a difficult few months, with his wife, Princess Kate, undergoing abdominal surgery and his father, King Charles, receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, Prince William has a strong network of friends on whom he can rely for support. Over the years, the heir to the throne has maintained friendships with classmates from Eton College and St Andrew’s University, where he also met Kate Middleton.
His friends have been by his side through almost every major milestone, including his engagement to Kate, their royal wedding in 2011, and, of course, the birth of their three children. A few of them have even been chosen to be godparents, with William also serving as their children’s godfather.
List of Prince William’s closest friend
1. William van Cutsem
The van Cutsem family go way back with the British royals. His father, Hugh van Cutsem Sr., is King Charles‘ best friend from Cambridge. He had four sons: Nicholas, Edward, William, and Hugh Jr. Notably, Edward is Charles’ godson and served as one of two-page boys in his wedding to Princess Diana.
William grew up on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk and has always been close friends with the heir to the throne. In 2013, he married Rosie Ruck Keene, and William was an usher. He is also the godfather of Prince George.
2. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
Mr Lowther-Pinkerton, a former equerry to the Queen Mother, worked as Prince William and Prince Harry’s private secretary from 2005 to 2013. He previously accompanied the royal brothers to the July 2021 unveiling of the statue of their late mother, Princess Diana, in Kensington Palace Gardens. Mr. Lowther-Pinkerton is also Prince George‘s godfather, and his son, William, served as one of the page boys at William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.
3. Hugh van Cutsem
Hugh is the older brother of William van Cutsem. After their father died in 2013, the family maintained close ties with the royals. Grace, his daughter, was a bridesmaid at Prince William and Kate’s royal wedding in 2011. She quickly became an internet sensation when she appeared on the balcony with a scowl on her face, covering her ears as the newlyweds shared their first public kiss. Prince William is also her godfather.
4. James Meade
James, the son of Richard Meade, the Olympic three-day eventer, attended Eton College alongside Prince William in 2000. He and his wife, Lady Laura, live near Anmer Hall, William and Kate’s Norfolk country home. At William and Kate’s royal wedding in 2011, James and Thomas van Straubenzee shared the best man’s speech. He is also the godfather of Princess Charlotte.
5. Thomas van Straubenzee
Thomas is one of William’s closest and longest-standing friends, having attended Ludgrove prep school with him. He was an usher alongside James Meade at the royal wedding in 2011 and shared the toast at the reception. William returned the favor by serving as an usher at Thomas’ 2013 wedding. Thomas is Princess Charlotte’s godfather.
6. Oliver Baker
Oliver is a close friend of William and Kate; he studied with them at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland. He is one of Prince George’s godparents.
7. Guy Pelly
Guy helped plan William’s bachelor party. Guy, a well-known nightclub owner, is notoriously secretive about his princely pals. Both princes attended his wedding to Elizabeth Wilson in 2014. Their friendship began in 2001, when they met on a fox hunt, and they’ve been involved in each other’s life milestones ever since. Despite his reputation for partying, Guy is one of Prince Louis’ godfathers.
8. Harry Aubrey-Fletcher
Harry is the son of Buckinghamshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher. William served as an usher at Harry’s 2011 wedding to Sarah Stourton, the eldest daughter of Baron Edward Stourton. He made headlines a few years ago for playfully pinching the prince’s ear in public.