Who will Harry and Meghan choose as godparents?
The duke and duchess are likely to pick close friends for the special role.
Celebrity confidantes of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to take on the role of godparents to the couple’s new baby son.
Harry and Meghan welcomed a 7lb 3oz baby boy early on Monday morning and will, if they follow royal tradition, announce their first born’s godparents on the morning of his christening in a few months’ time.
The duke could pay tribute to his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash when he was only 12, by asking relatives from the Spencer side of the family, perhaps one of his Spencer cousins – the children of Diana’s siblings Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer.
While the tradition for royal babies used to be to select elderly or foreign relatives for the role, Harry and Meghan appear likely to follow in the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s footsteps and opt for mostly friends over family.
Royal infants usually have more than the standard three godparents.
Prince Louis has six, future king Prince George has seven and Princess Charlotte has five.
– Jessica Mulroney
Meghan’s stylist and best friend is expected to play an important part in the baby’s life.
Mrs Mulroney’s children – twin boys Brian and John and daughter Ivy – were pageboys and bridesmaid.
She is married to Ben Mulroney, son of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney.
– Benita Litt
The duchess’s close friend runs her own brand agency and helps others to start businesses.
She is godmother to Mrs Litt’s daughters Rylan and Remi, and also chose them to be her bridesmaids.
– Serena Williams
The tennis champion is said to have hosted Meghan’s lavish baby shower in the £57,400-a-night penthouse of the Mark Hotel in New York City.
Meghan wrote of Williams on her former lifestyle website The Tig: “She quickly became a confidante I would text when I was travelling, the friend I would rally around for her tennis matches, and the down-to-earth chick I was able to grab lunch with.”
– Amal Clooney
Hollywood star George Clooney, who shares a May 6 birthday with baby Sussex, has denied he will be a godfather, declaring: “No, I’m now a father of twins, I’ve got enough shit. Literally, literally shit.”
But Meghan could ask the actor’s wife, human rights lawyer Amal, who attended her luxury baby shower.
The Sussexes have holidayed with the Clooneys in Italy.
– Oprah Winfrey
The chat show queen was seated in the exclusive Quire seats for the royal wedding, and Harry is collaborating with Oprah on a new documentary series on mental health.
She invited Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland to her home ahead of the wedding.
– Abigail Spencer
Former actress Meghan has been friends with Spencer since they starred together in the US legal drama Suits.
Misha Nonoo
The fashion designer is credited with introducing Harry to his future wife via a blind date.
She had a VIP seat at the royal wedding and used to be married to William and Harry’s friend Alexander Gilkes.
– Markus Anderson
Markus Anderson is Meghan’s best male friend, and the pair used to holiday together with Ms Nonoo.
“What would I do without you, my loving, supportive, and endlessly fun friend??” Meghan once posted about Mr Anderson.
– Nicholas van Cutsem
It is not just Meghan’s friends who are expected to get a look-in. The van Cutsems have been long-standing family pals of Harry, William and the Prince of Wales for many years.
Maj van Cutsem is already a godfather to Prince Louis.
– Tom Inskip
Tom “Skippy” Inskip has long been considered Harry’s wingman and was at his side during his partying days.
– Guy Pelly
Dubbed the royal court jester for his wild ways, Guy Pelly, whose family are wealthy Kent landowners, has settled down in recent years, marrying American hotel heiress Elizabeth “Lizzy” Wilson.
– Thomas or Charlie van Straubenzee
Harry and William have also been friends with the van Straubenzees for many years, so it is likely Thomas or his brother Charlie might be asked to be godfather.
– Prince Seeiso of Lesotho
Prince Seeiso and Harry set up the charity Sentebale together to help impoverished Aids orphans in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho.
– Mark Dyer
Harry’s mentor has been a key father figure since childhood.
They travelled together in Harry’s gap year and he helped arrange Harry’s stay in Lesotho.
His son Jasper – the duke’s godson – was one of Harry and Meghan’s pageboys.
– Jake Warren
Jake Warren is firm friends with Harry and is the son of the Queen’s bloodstock and racing adviser, John Warren.
– Princess Eugenie
Harry and Meghan may opt to include a royal in the line-up, perhaps choosing the duke’s cousin, Princess Eugenie of York.
Other potentials include Peter Phillips or Zara Tindall.
The duke is godfather to Zara’s youngest daughter Lena.
– Links to Diana, Princess of Wales
Harry may want to recognise bonds with friends of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
Or perhaps he might choose someone from Diana’s Spencer family – possibly her sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale or Lady Jane Fellowes, or more likely a cousin from the Spencer side, such as Louis, Viscount Althorp, or Celia Woodhouse or George McCorquodale.
– Tiggy Pettifer
Harry’s much-loved former nanny Tiggy Legge Bourke, now Tiggy Pettifer, has played a significant role in his life.