Catherine is a Princess, but she's not alone in some ivory tower. Along with having a tight-knit family to turn to for support, the Princess of Wales has maintained a close circle of friends who have been in her life since before she married the future King.
It's her and William's "close friends and close family" who "really matter to" them, Catherine noted in their 2010 engagement interview.
"Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship," the Princess has said. She's also spoken about an important role friends play in our lives. During a visit to a primary school in 2023, Catherine remarked to a group of children: "We all have feelings, don't we? Good feelings and sad feelings, but if we've got our friends around us and our family, it makes us feel better, doesn't it?"
So, just who are the friends who make the future Queen Consort feel better? Meet the Princess of Wales' inner circle.
© Max Mumby/IndigoLady Laura Meade and Zoe Warren
Lady Laura Meade, formerly Laura Marsham, is the daughter of Julian Marsham, 8th Earl of Romney. She is the wife of one of Prince William's best friends, James Meade, who co-delivered the best man's speech at the royal wedding in 2011. The couple married two years later, and the Duke returned the favour and played usher at his Etonian friend's big day.
Lady Laura is Prince Louis' godmother, while James is Princess Charlotte's godfather.
Meanwhile, Zoe's daughter, Zalie Warren, was a bridesmaid at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding. She is one of Harry's goddaughters and the daughter of one of his best friends, Jake Warren.
The Warren family have long been connected to the royal family; Jake's father John Warren was the late Queen's racing manager. The father-and-son team run Highclere Stud in Newbury together.
© Max Mumby/IndigoEmilia Jardine-Paterson
Emilia attended Marlborough College with Catherine, and the pair have been tight ever since. Following the royal couple's brief split in 2007, Emilia accompanied Catherine on holiday to Ibiza.
She has since been made one of Prince George's godmothers, and currently runs an interior design company. It has previously been reported that she helped Catherine redecorate Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall. Her husband David also attended Eton College with William.
© Max Mumby/IndigoJames Meade
James, who is the son of Richard Meade, the Olympic three-day eventer, attended Eton College with Prince William back in 2000. Along with his wife Lady Laura, the couple live near Anmer Hall, which is William and Catherine's country home in Norfolk.
In 2011, James delivered the part of the best man's speech with Thomas van Straubenzee at William and Catherine's royal wedding. He is also godfather to Princess Charlotte.
© Max Mumby/IndigoOliver Baker
Oliver is a good friend of both William and Catherine's; he was a student with them at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. He is also one of Prince George's godparents.
© Ikon Pictures/ShutterstockSophie Carter
Sophie is close a close friend of Catherine's, so much so that the Princess chose her to be one of Princess Charlotte's godmothers. It's therefore not surprising that Sophie, who lives close to Prince William and Catherine's country home, Anmer Hall, asked her goddaughter to be a bridesmaid at her wedding to Robert Snuggs in 2018.
The close friends go way back and have been pictured at various events together, from Wimbledon to Christmas Day church services in Norfolk. Sophie was also a guest at Pippa Middleton's wedding and Prince Harry and Meghan's royal nuptials.
She once used to date Thomas van Straubenzee, Prince William's close friend who also happens to be Princess Charlotte's godfather. Sophie even joined the Waleses during their skiing vacation in 2016.
© Max Mumby/IndigoHannah Carter
Hannah Carter, nee Gillingham, is one of Catherine's best friends from school. Both William and Catherine attended her wedding to Robert Carter (the son of wealthy Norfolk landowner Robert Carter) in May 2012; the weekend coincided with the royal couple's first wedding anniversary. Hannah is also one of Prince Louis' godparents.
© Max Mumby/IndigoAlicia Fox-Pitt
Alicia is the younger sister of Olympic star William Fox-Pitt (pictured), and is a loyal friend of Catherine's from her Marlborough College days.
The two friends took part in the famous Sisterhood rowing team, with Alicia saying at the time: "[Catherine's] been training with us. All being well she will be in the boat. She is a very gifted sportswoman and we played a lot of sport together at school."
Alicia married entrepreneur Sebastian Stoddart in July 2013; unfortunately, Catherine missed the big day as she was due to give birth to Prince George.
