Who will William choose for his 'supporter'? Prince Harry and Van Cutsem brothers lead race

By Daily Mail Reporter



Call of duty: Prince Harry (left) is favourite to be William's supporter while Harry Meade, pictured with bride Rosie Bradford, has also been mentioned


Prince Harry is the early favourite to be the Royal equivalent of best man at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.

Royal protocol means William will have a 'supporter' rather than a best man, but he is expected to follow tradition by having another friend in the role as well.

Charles had both Andrew and Edward as his supporters at his marriage to Princess Diana in 1981 and Prince Andrew had his brother Edward as his supporter in 1986.

Harry would be well qualified to be a 'best man'. The princes speak almost every day and have remained best friends, despite the pressures created by their mother's death in 1997 and their busy lives in the military.

Betting on Harry to become William's supporter has been one of the standout wagers since Tuesday's wedding announcement with the odds cut from 1/2 to 1/12.

But William's oldest and closest friend Thomas van Straubenzee is a favourite among Royal insiders.

Nicknamed Van, the pair met at Ludgrove Prep School and they travelled together on William's first overseas tour to New Zealand in 2005.

Mr van Straubenzee is also one of a group of select people who have travelled with William and Kate on their holidays together.

After William and Kate set tongues wagging by looking very much the Royal couple at the wedding of Harry Meade and Rosie Bradford in October, and 29-year-old showjumper is another family favourite.


In the running (l to r): Hugh and William Van Cutsem and William's oldest and closest friend Thomas van Straubenzee


Mr Meade is also a friend of Prince Harry, who was criticised for wearing a Nazi uniform at his 22nd birthday party.

Two other candidates are brothers Hugh and William van Cutsem. Their father, also called Hugh, is a close friend of Prince Charles.

Last year he Hugh Snr was rescued after going missing for over 20 hours on remote moorland near Hawes, North Yorkshire.

Mr van Cutsem's friendship with Prince Charles dates from when they studied together at Cambridge University, making his sons favourites for an official wedding role.

Kate’s younger sister Pippa, 26, will most likely be her chief bridesmaid, with William’s cousins Zara, 29, and Edward’s daughter Lady Louise, six, likely to have roles.


Decision time: Prince William and Kate Middleton pose for photographs in St James's Palace on Tuesday



source:dailymail