Friends, Fellow Royals Could Be Godparents to New Royal Baby
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Chris Jackson/Getty Images(LONDON) — As the world awaits the birth of the second child of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, many questions are swirling.
Among them: What will the child’s gender be? What will the couple name the child? And who will be the new little prince or princess’ godparents?
A royal godparent traditionally makes his or her first big appearance at the christening, and they’re expected to play a big role in a young royal’s life.
“There’s a feeling that because of their role as members of the royal family that they need as many confidants as they can get apart from their parents,” said Robert Jobson, royal editor of The Evening Standard.
So who’s possibly on the shortlist?
Royal babies traditionally have about six godparents. William and Catherine, like Princess Diana, are thought to want their newest child’s godparents to be a blend of traditional and more modern choices. That’s how they chose godparents for their year-old son, George, which means everyone from other royals to the couple’s close friends from school and college could be up for consideration.
Many people would like to see Pippa Middleton, the duchess’ younger sister, as well as Prince Harry, William’s younger brother, selected, but royal experts say that’s unlikely.
“Tradition for godparents is not to choose members of the family, certainly not the immediate family,” said Victoria Murphy, royal correspondent for The Daily Mirror and ABC News’ royal contributor.
Still, William’s step-siblings — Duchess Camilla’s daughter, Laura Lopes, and her son, Tom Parker Bowles — are possibilities. Another possibility is Princess Eugenie, the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson.
The friends who are likely to make the cut include William’s longtime pal, Thomas van Straubenzee. Catherine and William, who first became sweethearts in college, could also pick from friends they met together.
“I think it is possible she might choose a good friend from university this time,” Murphy said, referring to Catherine.
They pair could pick one of their most trusted aides — such as Catherine’s chief of staff, Rebecca Deason, or William’s chief of staff, Miguel Head.
Whomever they pick, one thing is certain. The godparents will need to be prepared.
“When they pick people to be godparents, they’re putting them into the spotlight and some of their friends really don’t want that be in the spotlight, so it will definitely be someone who is kind of willing to take that on,” Murphy said.
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