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Inside the Princess of Wales's inner circle - Kate's closest friends

The Princess of Wales has a close-knit group of friends

Kate has a close group of friends, including Sophie Carter
Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
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Ever since her relationship with Prince William came to light, the Princess of Wales has been surrounded by a select group of people who act as her support system during life under the royal spotlight.

But who are the select members of the royal's inner circle? Kate's friends hail from her school and university days - and while decades have since passed, the mum-of-three has remained very close to them.

They have been by her side in almost every important milestone; her engagement to William, their royal wedding in 2011 and of course, when the couple welcomed their three children. Here's everything you need to know about Kate's closest friends...

18

Lady Laura Meade and Zoe Warren

Kate with Lady Laura Meade and Zoe Warren© Getty
Kate with Lady 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. 

28

Emilia Jardine-Paterson

Emilia Jardine-Paterson attends Prince George's christening© Getty
Emilia Jardine-Paterson is one of George's godparents

Emilia attended Marlborough College with Kate, and the pair have been tight ever since. Following the royal couple's brief split in 2007, Emilia accompanied Kate 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 Kate redecorate Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall. Her husband David also attended Eton College with William.

38

James Meade

Kate Middleton pictured with James Meade in 2007© Getty
Kate pictured with James in 2007

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 Kate's country home in Norfolk. 

In 2011, James delivered the part of the best man's speech with Thomas van Straubenzee at William and Kate's royal wedding. He is also godfather to Princess Charlotte

48

Oliver Baker

Kate Middleton with Mel and Oliver Baker at Royal Ascot© Getty
Oliver Baker is George's godfather

Oliver is a good friend of both William and Kate's; he was a student with them at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. He is also one of Prince George's godparents.

58

Sophie Carter

Sophie Carter, James Meade and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham on January 10, 2016© Getty
Sophie Carter and James Meade with Kate after church at Sandringham in 2016

Sophie is close a close friend of Kate'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 Kate'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 Cambridges during their skiing vacation in 2016.

68

Hannah Carter

Robert Carter and Hannah Carter attend the wedding of William van Cutsem and Rosie Ruck Keene © Getty
Hannah Carter is Prince Louis' godmother

Hannah Carter, nee Gillingham, is one of Kate's best friends from school. Both William and Kate 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. 

78

Alicia Fox-Pitt

William Fox-Pitt escorts his sister Alicia Fox-Pitt on her wedding day© Getty
Alicia Fox-Pitt with her brother William

Alicia is the younger sister of Olympic star William Fox-Pitt (pictured), and is a loyal friend of Kate's from her Marlborough College days. 

The two friends took part in the famous Sisterhood rowing team, with Alicia saying at the time: "[Kate'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, Kate missed the big day as she was due to give birth to Prince George.

88

Rose Hanbury

Rose Hanbury with her husband David © Getty
Rose Hanbury lives in Norfolk with her husband David

Rose is the wife of David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley and Lord Great Chamberlain. The couple tied the knot following a short engagement in 2009, and they live at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, just over three miles away from Kate and William's Anmer Hall. 

Kate was spotted attending a festival at Rose and David's home during her summer break in 2023. 

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