This news will please Prince William and Duchess Catherine: A close friend has become a father.
Thomas van Straubenzee, 38, is a childhood friend of Prince William, 38, and thus also closely connected to Duchess Catherine, 38. He has now started a family with his wife, Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, 32, a teacher at Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince George, seven.
Baby for Duchess Catherine's and Prince Williams friend
As the English magazine "Tatler" reports, Lucy gave birth to a daughter named Mary. It is the first child for her and Thomas. It is possible that the little one will have a royal godfather in Prince William. Conversely, Thomas had taken on the honorable task for Charlotte when she was baptized in 2015.
Wedding in July 2020
The van Straubenzees gave each other information from the "Sunday Times" on July 24th in the Chelsea Old Church in south-west London. Only parents and siblings are said to have been present, as the group of celebrants had to be kept small due to the corona pandemic. The wedding was actually supposed to take place in April, with Princess Charlotte – so the British speculate – as the flower girl. William could also have played a leading role as a so-called usher. Among other things, he would have received guests, distributed programs and guided the guests to their seats. In 2011, at the wedding of William and Kate, van Straubenzee had acted as usher.
For van Straubenzee it is the second marriage. In 2013 he married Lady Melissa Percy, a daughter of the Duke of Northumberland. The couple divorced in 2016. The relationship with Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe became known in April 2019. At this point the two are said to have been in a relationship for "a few months". William and Kate, according to the British media, could have introduced the couple.
This is William's friend Thomas van Straubenzee
Thomas van Straubenzee, who works as a partner in a real estate agency, has known William since elementary school. His family is considered one of the royal family's closest and most loyal allies. In 2017 van Straubenzee was even allowed to ride in a carriage with Queen Elizabeth, 94, at Royal Ascot. His brother Charlie van Straubenzee is Prince Harry's best friend, 36.
This article was originally published by GALA.de.