Princess Charlotte’s Godfather Thomas van Straubenzee and His Wife Join Prince During Solo Appearance
Prince William appeared without Princess Catherine at Royal Ascot, but he wasn’t entirely alone. By his side was longtime friend Thomas van Straubenzee, accompanied by his wife Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe, offering visible support to the Prince of Wales during his solo outing.
Van Straubenzee, who has known Prince William since their school days at Ludgrove in Berkshire, is a trusted member of the royal inner circle and serves as godfather to Princess Charlotte. The bond between the families runs deep, with both William and Catherine reportedly playing a part in introducing Thomas to Lucy, a former teacher at St Thomas’ Battersea School—where Princess Charlotte once studied.
The couple were spotted on the Ascot balcony with Prince William, watching the races unfold. Photos captured Lucy in lively conversation with William, while he appeared more subdued, occasionally sipping a drink as the day’s events played out.
The Prince’s reserved demeanour was noted by body language expert Judi James, who observed that William seemed "subdued and rather reflective" during the royal procession. “While his father, the King, chatted happily with their guest, William sat back quietly with a slight slumped posture,” she told the Daily Express.
William had arrived at Ascot to join King Charles and Queen Camilla just hours after Catherine’s sudden withdrawal from the event. While her name initially appeared on the official procession list, Palace aides later clarified that it was an administrative mistake and she had never been scheduled to attend.
Thomas van Straubenzee, now a Partner and Global Head of Private Office at an international real estate firm, is no stranger to supporting the royal family. He has frequently been seen at events with Prince William and has previously attended football matches with Prince George.
As Catherine continues her gradual return to public life following her cancer recovery, moments like these show how closely Prince William's inner circle is rallying around him—ensuring the future king is never truly alone, even at the grandest of royal occasions.
