Exciting news for Prince George and Princess Charlotte

(Image credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)

published 24 June 2019

Prince George and Princess Charlotte could both have key roles in the forthcoming nuptials of Charlotte's' godfather Thomas van Straubenzee.

George, 5, and Charlotte, 4, have already earned their wedding stripes at recent ceremonies including that of their uncle Prince Harry's to Meghan Markle, their aunt Pippa Middleton to James Matthew and Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank.

And now The Sunday Times has revealed that brother and sister could be walking down the aisle once more to play a special role when Prince William’s close friend Thomas van Straubenzee, 36, says ‘I do’ to girlfriend Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, 31.

Ms Lanigan-O'Keeffe is assistant head teacher at Thomas's Clapham. Prince George attends the Battersea branch of the same school and will be joined there by Princess Charlotte, from September.

While it’s not clear yet whether the royal children will reprise their seasoned roles as pageboy and flower girl, it’s expected that their father, Prince William will act as an usher and also give a speech at the wedding.

It's unclear whether his wife the Duchess of Cambridge will also be attendance with her youngest son Prince Louis, one, but we're keeping our fingers crossed.

The Duke of Cambridge and Mr van Straubenzee have been long-time friends ever since attending Ludgrove prep school, and alongside fellow friend James Meade Thomas acted as an usher at the royal wedding in 2011.

This is the second marriage for property business owner Mr van Straubenzee.

His first to fashion designer and former tennis professional tennis player Lady Melissa Percy – the youngest daughter of the Duke of Northumberland – in 2013 at St Michael’s Church in Northumbria was attended by both Prince William and Prince Harry.

The couple divorced just three years later. It’s not known how long Mr van Straubenzee and Ms Lanigan-O'Keeffe have been dating, but reports that the couple were in a serious relationship first surfaced in April this year.

Originally from Kilkenny in Ireland Ms Lanigan-O'Keeffe is the daughter of barrister Stephen Lanigan-O'Keeffe and sister of Olympic pentathlete Arther Lanigan-O'Keeffe.

Miriam Habtesellasie is a freelance lifestyle writer who has contributed content to GoodTo, Woman&Home, Women and Idealhome.co.uk. Miriam is based in London and is a fan of everything interiors, she admits to being spoilt for choice living in the capital. From stunning architecture right the way through to eye-catching department store window displays, she believes there’s always an angle to be found that can translate to our abodes.