Prince Harry’s inner UK circle – ‘second dad’, ‘surrogate mum’ and lifesaving friendship

Prince Harry has returned to the UK for a special celebration, but his schedule does not align with that of his father, King Charles III, preventing a meeting between the two during this trip. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed that “It, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program of commitments and other priorities.” However, the spokesperson also indicated a potential improvement in their relationship, stating that Harry “hopes to see [Charles] soon.”

Despite the missed opportunity for a father-son reunion, Prince Harry maintains close connections in the UK, including a network of friends he may visit during his stay. While the specifics of the celebration were not disclosed, the Duke’s presence in his home country underscores the significance of the occasion.

Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has openly discussed the strained relationships he has experienced with his father, King Charles III, and his brother, Prince William, in recent years. The last time he saw his father was shortly after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis, when Harry rushed back to visit him.

Additionally, Harry has acknowledged that after stepping back from his role as a working royal, he lost some long-standing friendships. In his Netflix documentary, he admitted, “I miss the UK. I miss my friends… I lost a few friends as part of this process.”

This article explores Harry’s inner circle in the UK, including individuals who have played significant roles in his life, such as his “surrogate mum” and “second dad,” as well as friendships that have profoundly impacted him.

Duke of Westminster

The Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, one of the wealthiest individuals in the UK, has maintained a long-standing friendship with Prince William and Prince Harry. However, as he prepares for his upcoming nuptials with Olivia Henson this summer, reports suggest that Prince Harry may not have received an invitation. The alleged reason behind this decision is the concern that any potential royal drama could overshadow the bride’s special day.

According to sources cited by the Sunday Times, Hugh Grosvenor is one of the few close friends who has managed to maintain strong bonds and communication with both Prince William and Prince Harry, despite the well-documented rift between the brothers. While he hopes for a reconciliation, he recognizes the unlikelihood of it happening before his wedding.

The sources further stated that Grosvenor’s primary objective is to avoid any distractions or awkwardness that could detract from the occasion, especially for his bride-to-be, Olivia Henson. Consequently, he has chosen to exercise caution by potentially excluding Prince Harry from the guest list to ensure the focus remains on the couple’s celebration.

The bond between Prince Harry and JJ Chalmers is a remarkable one, forged through their shared military experiences and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by wounded veterans. Their friendship began when Harry, then a captain in the Army, encountered JJ, who had sustained life-altering injuries while serving in the Royal Marines in Afghanistan.

JJ has openly acknowledged Harry’s pivotal role in his recovery journey, crediting him as one of the “key people” who helped him regain his sense of self and purpose through initiatives like the Invictus Games. Their mutual support and admiration are evident, with Harry praising JJ’s resilience and JJ expressing his profound gratitude towards the Duke of Sussex.

In 2020, when JJ participated in the popular dance competition show Strictly Come Dancing, Harry sent a heartfelt video message, celebrating JJ’s remarkable transformation from the “shell of himself” he once was to the vibrant individual he had become. JJ, in turn, has consistently praised Harry, describing him as a dear friend and someone he wishes the best for, acknowledging that he wouldn’t be where he is today without Harry’s instrumental role in his recovery process.

Charlie and Thomas von Straubenzee

The von Straubenzee brothers, Charlie and Thomas, have a long-standing friendship with Prince William and Prince Harry, dating back to their time at the same preparatory school. A tragic event in 2002, the loss of their brother Henry in a car accident at the age of 18, forged an even stronger bond between the two sets of brothers. In 2009, William and Harry jointly became patrons of a memorial fund established in Henry’s name.

Charlie von Straubenzee holds the significant role of being one of Prince Archie’s godparents, while Harry is said to be the godfather to Charlie’s daughter, who reportedly gave a speech at Harry’s wedding reception in 2018.

Another key figure in Harry’s life is Mark ‘Marko’ Dyer, a former royal aide. Marko played a prominent role in Harry’s memoir “Spare,” where Harry described their important relationship over the years. Marko attended Harry’s passing out parade at Sandhurst and asked Harry to be the godfather to his son Jasper, an honor that Harry deeply cherished, as mentioned in his memoir.

Tiggy Pettifer, formerly known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke, has played a significant role in Prince Harry’s life since his childhood. She served as his nanny and helped raise both Harry and his brother, Prince William. Pettifer’s relationship with Harry has been described as that of a “second dad” or a “dear friend,” highlighting the strong bond they share.

Pettifer’s involvement in Harry’s life has extended beyond his childhood years. She has been present at important milestones, such as Harry’s graduation from Sandhurst. Their close connection is further evidenced by the fact that Pettifer is one of Prince Archie’s godparents, and Harry is the godfather to her son, Tom.

In his memoir “Spare,” Harry revealed that Pettifer became a “surrogate mum” to him and William, underscoring the maternal role she played in their upbringing. The depth of their relationship was also demonstrated when Pettifer expressed her disapproval of Harry’s decision to discuss his family negatively during his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Overall, Tiggy Pettifer has been a constant and influential figure in Prince Harry’s life, serving as a parental figure, confidante, and trusted advisor throughout his formative years and into adulthood.

Adam Bidwell is a stockbroker who has maintained a close friendship with Prince Harry for many years. He played a significant role in Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle, serving as an usher. Additionally, Bidwell has been actively involved with Sentebale, one of Harry’s charitable organizations, working as an ambassador. His presence in the couple’s life was evident when he accompanied Meghan to a polo match in 2019, shortly after the birth of their son Archie.

Charlie Gilkes is another longstanding friend of Prince William and Prince Harry. He co-founded the Inception Group, which owns the renowned nightclub Bunga Bunga, according to Tatler magazine. Gilkes was prominently featured in the couple’s Netflix documentary, captured in a photograph surrounded by Harry’s closest friends during the 2018 wedding celebrations.

Jack Mann and Tom Inskip are two of Prince Harry’s closest friends. Here are some key details about their relationships with the royal:

Jack Mann:

– Attended the prestigious Sandhurst military academy with Harry

– Served alongside Harry in the Blues and Royals regiment during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan

– Reportedly acted as an “unofficial best man” at Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle

Tom Inskip (nicknamed “Skippy”):

– Longtime friend of Harry’s since their days together at Eton College

– His father was a field master at one of King Charles III’s favored hunting events

– A regular companion during Harry’s “party days” before settling down

– The book “Finding Freedom” claimed Tom advised Harry not to rush into marrying Meghan, leading to a temporary falling out

– However, reports suggest Harry and Tom have since reconciled their friendship

These two individuals have been part of Prince Harry’s inner circle for many years, accompanying him through various life stages from his military career to his marriage to Meghan Markle.

Lord Vivian, a PR expert, was a part of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s inner circle, even attending Prince Archie’s christening. He was introduced to Harry by Marko Dyer, whom Harry considers a “second dad.” Lord Vivian has accompanied Harry on trips to Botswana, a place that holds great significance for the Duke of Sussex, as described in his memoir “Spare.” Botswana allowed Harry to escape his royal status and simply be himself.

Henry Warhurst, who attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, is married to Tamara Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, the niece of Tiggy Pettifer, whom Harry considers a “surrogate mum.” It is reported that Tamara and Meghan became close friends in 2019, further strengthening the connection between the two couples.