Best man William ready to take his revenge on Harry

Prince William will be best man when his brother, Prince Harry, marries Meghan Markle. And he’s got some surprises planned.

Britain's Prince William (rear), Prince Harry (left) and Meghan Markle arrive to attend a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration on Anzac Day at Westminster Abbey in London. Photo: AP

The Duke of Cambridge joked last night about getting his own back on Prince Harry after it was announced that he will be best man when his brother marries Meghan Markle next month.

Prince William, who chose Harry as his best man when he married in 2011, said: “It feels great. Thrilled and delighted, obviously.” He added: “Revenge is sweet! I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“How did I ask?” Harry joked. “Got down on one knee. He’s known for months.”

William joined Harry at the opening of a sports centre in Marylebone three days after the birth of William’s third child, who has not yet been publicly named.

Asked by reporters if he had a name for the baby, William said: “I’m working on that one. You’ll know soon.”

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (second from right) and her husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (right), arrive with Prince Harry (second from left) and his fiancee, Meghan Markle in London in March. Photo: AFP

The announcement by Kensington Palace, which had been widely predicted, said: “The Duke of Cambridge is honoured to have been asked, and is very much looking forward to supporting his brother at St George’s Chapel, Windsor on May 19th.”

William’s role means that he will not be attending the FA Cup Final, which is being held on the same day. He would normally be expected to attend in his role as president of the Football Association.

As best man, William will be responsible for producing the ring at the right moment, making a speech and the challenging task of organising his brother’s stag do. William’s stag party before his own wedding involved a weekend at Hartland Abbey in north Devon, which is owned by friends. The party went clay pigeon shooting, enjoyed drinking games and surfed, according to reports. The success of the operation was proved in the fact that news of the event did not go public until more than a week later and there were no photographs.

According to sources, it is a matter of choice whether royals choose to use the term “supporter” or “best man": Harry has chosen to use best man. Supporter is also a term used when the groom has two friends to help him on his wedding day, a source said.

William also used the term “best man” for his wedding. An aide said at the time: “He has been to more weddings with a best man than he has where there have been supporters.”

The other point of interest from the palace’s statement is one of gender politics and the difference between William’s wife and Harry’s wife-to-be. In the announcement Kensington Palace referred to Ms Meghan Markle, as it always does: however, it had referred to William’s bride before his wedding as Miss Catherine Middleton.

THE TIMES