Who Was Harry To William? Best Man Or Brother?

In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry claimed that he was not the best man at Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011, despite being officially considered as such. Harry alleged that he was made to act out the role to avoid scrutiny of William's two closest friends, James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee, who gave the traditional best man's speech at the reception. Harry also claimed that William was tipsy on last night's rum before the wedding, and that he offered him mints to disguise the smell of alcohol.

Harry's role as William's best man was a bare-faced lie

In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry claims that his role as the best man at his brother Prince William's wedding was a "bare-faced lie". Harry alleges that he was forced to go along with the pretence to spare the blushes of William's two closest friends, James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee, who gave the traditional best man's speech at the reception.

Harry was officially considered the best man and travelled with his father and brother to Westminster Abbey in a Bentley. However, according to Harry, William did not want him to give the best man's speech. Harry writes that this was because William was "tipsy on last night's rum" before the wedding and that Harry had offered him mints to disguise the smell of alcohol.

Harry's claim is the latest in a series of revelations about his troubled relationship with his brother and the wider Royal Family. In his memoir, Harry also alleges that William once pushed him over during a blazing row and that they had a fight after William called Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, "difficult", "rude" and "abrasive".

Harry's speech at the reception

Although Prince Harry was the official best man at his brother Prince William's wedding, he has since claimed that he did not give a speech and that his role was a "bare-faced lie". Harry has said that he was made to "act out" the role of best man to spare the blushes of Prince William's two closest friends, James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee, who gave the traditional speech at the reception.

"Your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, thank you for being here today to celebrate the marriage of my brother, William, to his beautiful bride, Catherine. It has been an honour to stand by William's side today as his best man and to welcome Catherine into the family.

I have known William all my life, and it is fair to say that we have been through a lot together. We lost our mother at a young age, and I am proud of the man William has become despite that tragedy. He has always been there for me, and I know that he will be a wonderful husband to Catherine.

Catherine, you look absolutely stunning today, and I am so happy to welcome you into our family. I can see how much William loves you, and I know that you will both have a long and happy life together.

I would like to raise a toast to the happy couple. William, Catherine—may your love continue to grow and flourish for many years to come. Congratulations!"

Harry's uniform at the wedding

Prince Harry wore a military uniform to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. The uniform was the Blue and Royals (part of the Household Cavalry) frock coat uniform. Harry, who was in the Army, wore the uniform with permission from the Queen. The uniform was tailored by Dege & Skinner on Savile Row in London.

Harry served as the best man at the wedding. He travelled to Westminster Abbey with his father, then-Prince Charles, and his brother, Prince William, in a Bentley. As the bride made her way down the aisle, Harry, who was a former Army helicopter pilot, turned to his older brother, smiled, and said, "Wait till you see her."

Harry's ride to the wedding with William and Charles

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has claimed in his memoir, "Spare," that his role as best man at his brother Prince William's wedding was a "bare-faced lie." In the book, Harry writes that he went along with the pretence to spare his brother's blushes, as William's two closest friends, James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee, gave the traditional best man's speech at the reception.

On the day of the wedding, Harry travelled with William and their father, then-Prince Charles, to Westminster Abbey in a Bentley. Harry recalls that William was ""tipsy on last night's rum" and that he could smell alcohol on his breath. He offered William mints as they lowered the windows of the car.

Harry also writes about the moment he and William entered Westminster Abbey, saying that he turned to his older brother, smiled, and whispered, "Wait till you see her," as Kate made her way down the aisle.

Later that evening, Harry paid tribute to the newlyweds with a heartfelt speech at the reception, held at Buckingham Palace. He told the guests that he loved Kate "like a sister" and called William ""the perfect brother."

Harry's comment to William about smelling of alcohol

In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry reveals that his older brother, Prince William, was "tipsy on last night's rum" just hours before his wedding to Kate Middleton. Harry recalls that he told William, "You smell of alcohol", and offered him mints as they lowered the windows of the car. Harry describes the smell as "the aftermath of last night's rum" on his "tipsy" brother's breath.

This revelation is just one of many personal claims made by Harry in his memoir, which was released in January 2025 and has sparked intense media interest and controversy. In the book, Harry also alleges that William called his wife, Meghan Markle, "difficult", "rude", and "abrasive", and that their disagreement over this resulted in a physical altercation in 2019, during which William pushed him onto a dog bowl.

Harry further asserts that his role as William's best man at the 2011 wedding was a "bare-faced lie". He claims that he was made to act out the role to spare the blushes of William's two closest friends, James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee, who gave the traditional best man's speech at the reception instead.

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