Cheers Bro

Prince Harry Chooses Brother Prince William as Groomsman

One way to guarantee your groomsman’s speech won’t be mortifying: Get the future king of England to give it.

There’s no shortage of material for Prince Harry’s wedding speech.

For instance, you could kick off with, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure you all remember the time Harry went to Las Vegas. I’m told that it was after studying his skill at billiards that Meghan decided this was the man for her.”

Or how about, “I’m glad to see Harry isn’t in uniform for this party…”

Or perhaps a little gentle ribbing of the bride’s rumored ambition: “So Meghan, just what was it that made you fall in love with this great big ginger klutz who just happens to be fifth—er... sorry, quite right, Kate, sixth—in line to the throne?”  

It’s safe to say that Harry has been spared a 10-minute mortification session by opting to ask his brother, Prince William, who has never knowingly caused offense to anyone on the planet, to be his groomsman at his wedding in Windsor on May 19.

While the wedding itself will be televised, the reception held after the nuptials—and where William will, per tradition, make an affectionate speech “introducing” the groom to his wife and her family (if any of them are in fact invited)—will not be officially taped.

It was also quietly briefed today that William will not attend soccer’s FA Cup final—which also takes place on May 19—either as a spectator or to hand out baubles to the winning team.

In January, the duke had disclosed that he had not yet been asked to be best man, joking that it could be a “sensitive subject.”

The news was announced via the official Kensington Palace Twitter feed, accompanied by a selection of adorable photos of the brothers.

Prince Harry was best man at the 2011 wedding of William and Kate, and the two have often spoken about how close they are.

“Our relationship is closer than it’s been because of the situation we’ve been through,” William once said, “Losing our mother at a young age, it’s helped us travel through that difficult patch together. You’re like-minded. You go through similar things, it’s a bond and it’s something you know you’ve tackled together and come out better for it.”

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Tom SykesEuropean Editor at Large

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