Who Was Prince William's Best Man?

Prince William's wedding to Catherine Middleton in 2011 was a grand affair, with much speculation about the details. One such detail was the identity of the best man. It was widely believed that Prince Harry was his brother's best man, but in his memoir, Spare, Harry revealed that this was not the case. Instead, William chose his friends James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee to be his best men. Harry explained that the royal family lied to the public to protect the privacy of the actual best men, who were civilians.

Prince Harry was not Prince William's best man

Harry explained in his book that William did not want him to give a best man's speech and did not think it was safe to hand him a live microphone, fearing that Harry might say something inappropriate. Additionally, the royal family wanted to protect the privacy of James and Thomas, who were civilians, by not revealing their roles to the public.

Harry also shared that he did not feel comfortable in the Blues and Royals uniform that he had to wear for the wedding, as it was not something he would usually choose to wear. Despite not being the best man, Harry still gave a speech at the reception, which he mostly improvised.

In Spare, Harry also revealed that William did not want to wear the red uniform of the Irish Guards for his wedding but instead preferred his Household cavalry uniform. However, his request was rejected by Queen Elizabeth II.

James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee were Prince William's best men

According to Harry, William did not want him to give a best man's speech as he "didn't think it safe to hand [him] a live mic and put [him] in a position to go off script". Harry also writes that he understood his brother's decision and that there were no hard feelings between them.

James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee, two of William's friends, were chosen to be his best men. Harry explains in his book that their privacy was protected by the royal family's decision to name him as the best man:

> "Also, the lie gave cover to James and Thomas, two civilians, two innocents. Had they been outed as Willy's best men, the rabid press wouldn't have chased them, tracked them, hacked them, investigated them, ruined their families' lives. Both chaps were shy, quiet. They couldn't handle such an onslaught and shouldn't be expected to."

While Harry did not serve as best man, he did deliver a speech at the wedding reception, in which he shared stories about the brothers' childhood and growing up together. He also mentioned how their mother, Princess Diana, would be proud of William's relationship with Kate.

Prince William didn't want his brother to give a best man speech

Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding took place on Friday, 29 April 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. While Prince Harry was officially named his brother's best man, he revealed in his memoir, Spare, that he was not asked to perform the traditional best man duties.

In his book, Harry explained that William "didn't want me giving a best man speech". He goes on to say that William "didn't think it safe to hand me a live mic and put me in a position to go off script". Harry acknowledged that his brother was not wrong in his prediction, as he did end up sharing a few words at the reception, which he mostly improvised. While delivering his speech, Harry pulled out a thong for Kate, which was made especially for the bride by a United States resident.

Harry also revealed that the decision to name him as best man was made to protect the privacy of William's actual best men, James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee. He explained that the intense media scrutiny would have been difficult for the two civilians to handle. Despite not being the official best man, Harry took it in stride and held no hard feelings towards his brother.

Prince Harry gave a speech at his brother's wedding reception

In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry reveals that he gave a speech at his brother's wedding reception. Although Harry was not Prince William's best man—that honour went to two of William's friends, James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee—Harry did address the guests at the reception, sharing a few words about his brother and new sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.

Harry's speech at the wedding reception was mostly improvised. He spoke about his and William's childhood, recalling stories from their time growing up together. He also mentioned their late mother, Princess Diana, and how she would be proud of William and Kate's relationship. In addition to his heartfelt words, Harry included a lighthearted moment in his speech by pulling out a thong for Kate, which had been specially made for the bride by a United States resident.

The reason Harry was not the best man at William's wedding was due to a mutual agreement between the brothers. As Harry explains in his book, "Willy didn't want me giving a best man speech. He didn't think it safe to hand me a live mic and put me in a position to go off script. I might say something wildly inappropriate. He wasn't wrong." Harry also understood that the role of best man would bring intense media scrutiny, and he wanted to protect his brother's friends from that.

The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place on Friday, 29 April 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The occasion was a grand affair, attracting much media attention and featuring ceremonial aspects such as the use of state carriages and roles for the Foot Guards and Household Cavalry. The ceremony was attended by the couple's families, foreign royal families, diplomats, and personal guests.

Prince Harry chose his old mate Charlie to be his best man

Prince Harry chose his "old mate Charlie" to be his best man at his wedding to Meghan Markle. This was revealed in his memoir, Spare, which was published on January 10, 2023. In the book, Harry writes that his brother, Prince William, "cancelled last minute" on plans to get drinks with him and his friends the night before the wedding. Harry questioned whether William's behaviour was due to him not being chosen as best man.

Harry also reveals that the Palace lied about William being the best man at his wedding, just as they had done at William's wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. According to Harry, the public and press were told that he was William's best man, but this was not true. William's actual best men were his friends, James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee. Harry writes that William did not want him to give a best man speech as he didn't "think it safe to hand [him] a live mic and put [him] in a position to go off script."

Harry explains that the decision to lie about the best man was made to protect the privacy of James and Thomas, who were two civilians and "shy, quiet" individuals who "couldn't handle" the media onslaught that would come with being publicly associated with the royal family. Despite not being the best man, Harry did share a few words at his brother's wedding reception, during which he introduced the best men and shared stories about his and William's childhood.

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