ET is looking at all the royal parents' famous friends and closest pals to find out who might be chosen for the honor.
It's been nearly a month since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their adorable baby boy, Archie Harrison, and royal watchers around the world have started speculating on who will be honored with the coveted role of being godparents to the new royal baby.
For royal godparents, there are a number of differences in the selection process as compared to normal godparents, and this plays a role in who might be chosen.
There is no official criteria but typically royal children have had six to seven godparents, usually evenly divided between godmothers and godfathers. Prince William and Kate Middleton turned to their close-knit circle of friends, confidants, extended family members and even former aides to serve as godparents for their children -- George, Charlotte and Louis. Meghan and Harry are expected to go the same route.
In anticipation of the selection of royal godparents, ET examines the long list of possible candidates that the new parents might be considering to help guide baby Archie as he grows up.
Charlie van Straubenzee
Being Prince Harry's closest friend -- and the person chosen to give the co-best man speech at his wedding reception where he served as an usher -- is a likely choice for godfather. Meghan and Harry attended Charlie’s wedding to Daisy Jenks just two months after their own wedding in May 2018, where Harry served as Charlie's best man. The pair have known each other for more than 25 years, and were friends while attending Ludgrove and Eton together. Additionally, Charlie's older brother, Tom, is best friends with Harry's older brother, William, and Princess Diana was a close friend of the van Straubenzee family as well.
Nicholas van Cutsem
William and Harry grew up with Nicholas and his brother, William van Cutsem, and their father, Hugh, is a close friend of Prince Charles. The brothers, at one point, also lived in Anmer Hall -- the country home gifted to William and Kate by the Queen. Harry is godfather to Nicholas and wife Alice's daughter, Florence, who served as a bridesmaid in Harry and Meghan’s wedding. Meanwhile, Nicholas' older daughter, Grace, stole the show at William and Kate's wedding, famously holding her hands over her ears on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. The main reason Harry and Meghan might opt for another friend in their inner circle is that Nicholas is already godfather to Prince William and Kate's youngest son, Prince Louis.
Tom Inskip
One of Harry's closest friends and most trusted confidantes, he's known as Skippy to friends and the two have been inseparable pals since their days at Eton together as school boys. Friendships that are that strong and last that long will often be rewarded with an honor like godparenthood.
Jake Warren
Another one of Harry's longtime friends from his school days, Jake was also one of Princess Diana’s godchildren. His family has a long and close connection to the royal family. His father is the Queen’s racing manager and Harry already serves as godfather to Jake's daughter, Zalie, who was a bridesmaid in his wedding to Meghan. Jake’s mother, Lady Carolyn Warren, is the daughter of the late 7th Earl of Carnarvon, who was a previous racing manager to the Queen and one of her closest confidants. So the family ties run deep.
Prince Seeiso
The Prince of Lesotho, and co-founder of Harry's Lesotho-based HIV and AIDS Charity, Sentebale, Seeiso would be an apt choice for godfather to baby Archie. With the Sussexes also set to spend more time in Africa in the coming years, Prince Seeiso would be a stable nearby presence who could influence Archie as he grows up.
Mark Dyer
Captain Mark Dyer, who is married to American-born Amanda Kline, has been referred to in the press as Harry's surrogate father. The highly regarded Dyer was a trusted equerry for Prince Charles who was brought in to serve as a source of stability and mentor Harry following his mother’s death in 1997. His son, Jasper -- who served as a page boy in Harry's wedding and is the owner of a number of high end London pubs -- still advises Harry in the capacity of a friend and confidante. Dyer guided Harry ahead of his gap year and was instrumental in setting up Harry with Prince Seeiso in Lesotho and the formation of Harry's charity, Sentebale, which honors Princess Diana.
Arthur Landon
The Multi-millionaire filmmaker is part of Harry's intimate circle of trusted confidants. The 38-year-old entrepreneur -- who served as an usher at Harry's wedding-- frequently appears on lists of London's richest individuals, with an estimated fortune in excess of half a billion dollars. Adding to his CV as a potential godparent, Landon is also a royal as he's the son of Austro-Hungarian Princess Katalina Esterhazy de Galantha and famed miliary figure Timothy Landon.
Julia Samuel
Once Princess Diana’s best friend, Julia is the founder-patron of Child Bereavement UK, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives after the loss of a child. Meghan met Julia during her engagement interview with Prince Harry and she would be a wonderful choice to remind Archie about his grandmother. Additionally, Julia was chosen by William and Kate to serve as Prince George’s godmother.
Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale & Charles Spencer
As Princess Diana’s siblings, they will most certainly play a role in Archie’s life. Harry has remained close to his aunts and uncle, with Lady Jane, Diana's eldest sister, performing a reading at the couple's wedding. Diana’s siblings were among the first to visit baby Archie and it goes without question the couple would want to make sure Diana’s presence is felt in Archie’s life. Additionally, Laura Fellowes -- daughter of Jane -- was chosen by William and Kate as the godmother to Princess Charlotte.
Zara Phillips
The daughter of Princess Anne, she is Harry and William’s first cousin and a world champion equestrian and olympian. She is often seen alongside William and Harry at family events and Harry is godmother to Zara and Rugby legend Mike Tindall's youngest daughter, Lena. However, Zara is already godmother to Prince George so there’s a chance Harry could select an alternate choice as to not burden her.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge
As Harry's beloved sister-in-law, he often refers to the Duchess of Cambridge as the sister he never had. He has massive respect for William's wife, the future Queen consort, and has leaned on her for years for support. While there have been reports of dueling Duchesses and royal feuds between Kate and Meghan, don’t count Kate out. It would certainly put an end to all those tabloid rumors and Harry absolutely adores his sister in law.
Princess Eugenie
Prince Andrew's youngest daughter, Eugenie, has long been Harry's friend. Additionally, she and her new husband, Jack Brooksbank, were one of the first to meet Meghan after she and Harry sparked their royal romance, and they frequently double dated.
Serena Williams
One of Meghan’s close friends, the tennis legend helped throw Meghan’s baby shower. Meanwhile, Serena and her millionaire husband, Alexis Ohanian, have been frequent visitors at Meghan and Harry's home. Meghan has been seen court side at Wimbledon cheering on the champion and Serena is a good choice for the couple who are likely to want their son to be aware of his American roots and heritage.
Lindsay Roth
A member of Meghan’s close circle of friends from her college years at Northwestern, Lindsay seems like a plausible choice for godmother. The two met in literature class their freshman year in college and have maintained their friendship for nearly two decades. Meghan was the Maid of Honor at Lindsay’s wedding in New York and Lindsay splits her time between the Big Apple and London, as her husband is a British investment executive. Lindsey has also been incredibly private about her relationship with Meghan, which is of great importance to Harry who feels strongly about the need for his son is shielded from the scrutiny of the media.
Benita Litt
The California-based lawyer and entrepreneur is a good contender for the honorary role, as her two daughters, Remi and Rylan, were bridesmaids in Meghan’s wedding to Harry. Meghan spent her first Christmas at Benita’s house after her relationship with Harry went public, and they've been friends for years.
Oprah Winfrey
The talk show queen would be a unique but bold choice for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Winfrey recently announced her partnership with Harry on an upcoming mental health series for Apple TV, she met with Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, in the early days of the couple's relationship and was a guest at the couples' intimate wedding. Her advocacy for education for girls in South Africa, her human rights agenda and her position as a leading African-American role model in the United States would give Baby Archie a firm connection his American roots. Also, who wouldn’t want Oprah as a godmother!
Elton John
One of Diana’s closest friends Elton has mentored Harry as he’s grown from a little boy to the man he is today. Alongside Elton, Harry has carried on his mother’s important work regarding AIDS and HIV awareness and assistance, and Elton could share with Archie meaningful and poignant moments in Diana’s life as he gets older.
Abigail Spencer
One of Meghan’s closest friends in the acting world, Abigail co-starred with Meghan in Suits. She’s a long shot when it comes to getting chosen as godmother, but she's also someone Meghan has leaned on for years.
Jessica Mulroney
She is often described as one of Meghan best friends, however she's had something of a rocky public relationship recently. After being accused of leaking details about Meghan's New York baby shower to tabloids, as well as being accused of profiting off her friendship with the Duchess, Harry may decide one of their other (possibly more discreet) friends better fits the role. But don't count her out all together. Jessica's three children were in the bridal party and the royal wedding -- Ivy was a bridesmaid, while her twins, Brian and John, stole the show beaming, while making sure Meghan‘s long veil and train were looked after as they trailed her down the aisle.
Markus Anderson
One of Meghan’s very best friends, Soho House Director Markus Anderson is likely to be at the top of the list of those under consideration by Harry and Meghan. The Canadian-born Anderson splits his time between London, Canada and the U .S. One of Meghan’s closest and most trusted and private confidants, Markus might be exactly what Harry and Meghan are looking for with his connection to leading artistic and cultural figures across the world.
Misha Nonoo
Misha is a dear friend of Meghan’s and she’s been in William and Harry’s inner circle for years. Meghan stayed with Misha at her New York townhouse for several days before the lavish New York baby shower and Meghan has vacationed with Misha and Markus Anderson. Misha is also rumored to be one of the matchmakers behind Meghan and Harry’s first date in London. She is a womenswear fashion designer and responsible for one of Meghan’s most famous looks to date. Meghan wore Misha’s white “husband” shirt from her collection at her first public appearance with Harry at the Invictus Games last year.
Amal and George Clooney
While we all wish that one of Hollywood’s Royalty and most loved couples become godparents to Baby Archie, it’s probably not in the cards at least for their first child. George joked multiple times there’s not a chance he’ll be one of the godparents. Amal, however, really would be an incredible role model and her work as an international human rights advocate promotes many of the same ideals championed by Harry and Meghan. Amal is a highly regarded humanitarian and it would certainly make her a likely choice, however with so many long term friends of Harry and Meghan’s also in the mix, it’s more likely a possible choice for any children the couple may have in the future.
Michelle and Barack Obama
Harry bonded with the Obamas, who have both been staunch supporters of his Invictus Games. Harry was overheard telling President Obama at the Invictus games, “Send my love to Michelle.” Harry recently teamed up with the Obama foundation shortly after President Obama’s term came to an end, and any child would be lucky to be mentored by one of the most inspirational couples on the planet. While they are a long shot, it's not entirely out of the question.
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