Royal baby: potential godparents for Princess Charlotte

Thomas van Straubenzee

"It's very possible William would choose his best friend Thomas van Straubenzee," says Victoria. "The two are very close from Ludgrove prep school and Eton."

He even travelled to New Zealand with the Prince during their gap year.

Both William and Harry were there when Thomas wed the Duke of Northumberland's daughter – Lady Melissa Percy of Alnwick Castle – just before Kate gave birth to George.

The Princes are also patrons of a foundation in the name of Thomas' brother Henry, who was killed in a car crash 11 years ago.

Tiggy Pettifer, née Legge Bourke

Originally William and Harry's nanny, Tiggy became a source of emotional support for the royal brothers after the divorce of their parents and death of their mother Princess Diana.

She is slo close to the family that William is godfather to her son Tom, who was a page boy at the 2011 royal wedding.

"Tiggy was widely anticipated to be named one of George's godparents," says Victoria. "She was an influence in such a positive way with William and Harry."

Captain Mark Dyer

A former Welsh Guards officer, he is another hugely important figure from the Princes' childhood.

Mark got to know the boys when he was equerry to the Prince of Wales in the mid-90s.

He would often drive to Eton to take William out for lunch.

The former soldier helped plan the Princes' gap years, then advised them on applying to Sandhurst military academy.

Lady Sarah McCorquodale

She is Princess Diana's eldest sister and the Spencer sibling the Princes are reportedly closest to.

It's also possible that Wiliam and Kate might choose Lady Jane Fellowes, Diana's other sister.

Jane and the Princess were neighbours in Kensington Palace because her husband Robert Fellowes was the Queen's assistant private secretary.

Prince Harry

William's brother clearly dotes on George and is an obvious choice to be named a godparent for the couple's second child after being left off the list last time.

Pippa Middleton and James Middleton

The same goes for Pippa and James. Coming from a tight knit family, Kate is very close to her siblings and they may well feature this time around.

Peter Phillips

Another relative the future King may want to consider is his cousin Peter Phillips, who has two children of his own with his wife Autumn.

Peter's sister Zara is George's godmother.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

His other cousins can also not be ruled out.

Prince Andrew's daughters grew up with William and Harry, while the girls' mother Sarah, Duchess of York was a good friend of Princess Diana.

Alicia Fox-Pitt

Alicia is one of Kate's oldest friends.

She is seen here on her wedding day with her brother equestrian champion William Fox-Pitt.

The athletic redhead persuaded Kate to join the Sisterhood charity boat race during her brief separation from Prince William.

Although the sporty brunette dropped out because of media attention, training for the event helped her recover her confidence.

Alice Avenel, née St. John Webster

Kate's circle from Marlborough School also includes Alice (pictured), Catriona Foyle and Hannah Gillingham.

Their other friend Emilia Jardine-Paterson, née D'Erlanger, is George's godmother.

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs

William and Kate admire Natasha because of her Beulah ethical fashion label, which supports the victims of trafficking.

Natasha is an old friend – perhaps even former love interest – of the Prince. However, the Duchess has been very supportive of the charity, often wearing their designs.

Jecca Craig

William became close to Jecca while staying at the Craig family's Lewa Downs wildlife sanctuary in Kenya during his gap year.

It's near her home in the African bush that he proposed to Kate.

Her family's commitment to conservation mirrors one of the royal father's most passionate interests as well.

Harry Meade

The former Etonian is a gifted horseman and the royals have been close to his family for decades.

His wedding to Rosie Bradford in October 2010 was the first at which William and Kate allowed themselves to be pictured together.

Relaxed and tanned after a holiday in Kenya, they were secretly engaged and shared the happy news with the world a few weeks later.

Sam Waley-Cohen

The charismatic amateur jockey has known William since they attended Wetherby pre- prep school together.

He is widely credited with getting his royal friend back together with Kate during their brief separation by throwing the party at which they reconciled.

The Duchess has been a great supporter of Sam's charity efforts in memory of his late brother Thomas.

He died aged 20 in 2004 and was a fellow pupil of hers at Marlborough School.

Luke Tomlinson and Mark Tomlinson

William and Harry grew up with the polo playing brothers whose parents Simon and Claire run the Beaufort Polo Club near the Prince of Wales's Highgrove estate.