The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have once again broken with tradition to reward loyalty over royalty in the selection of their son Prince George’s godparents.
While the godparents of royal baby’s are usually fellow princes or princesses, the modern royal couple have selected their school and university friends on whom to bestow the honour, the Sunday Times reports.
Prince William’s school chum financier Fergus Boyd, and Kate’s college pal Emilia d’Erlanger will serve alongside Hugh van Cutsem, one of Wills’ oldest friends, as half of baby George’s predicted six godparents.
Mr Boyd, 31, flatted with Kate and William in their second year at St Andrew’s college and studied art history with Kate, and Ms d’Erlanger is an old friend of William from his Eton days as well as s school friend of Kate.
Hugh van Cutsem is another friend of William’s from Eton and has close links to the royals, with William serving as an usher at his old friend’s wedding, and Hugh’s daughter playing flower girl at the 2011 royal wedding.
Prince William’s godparents were quite a contrasting group to those chosen for his son. They were former King Constantine of Greece, Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, the Duchess of Westminster, Lady Susan Hussey, Lord Romsey and Sir Lauren van der Post.
Aside from the surprise appointments, the royal couple are already breaking with tradition in their venue choice for the christening, hosting the ceremony at the Chapel in St James’s Palace rather than at Buckingham Palace.
The christening will take place on October 23 and will be an intimate family affair with a guest list of only 60.
