Kate Middleton's Friends in Her Inner Circle: Details and Photos

While Princess of Wales Kate Middleton is one of the most recognizable faces in the entire world, and one of the most well-known princesses of our time, she’s just a gal with a group of buddies by her side. It seems like Kate gets along with most people, but it takes a lot to be included in her inner circle.

Basically, if Kate vibes with someone, they’re buddies for years to come. We’ve seen it time and time again, from her Marlborough College buddies to her most recent new friend (the wonderful teacher from her children’s school).

And while Kate seems like a social butterfly during the many, many royal functions over the years, her friends say it’s quite the opposite. One friend (who wished to remain anonymous) told the Daily Mail, “Public life is full of extroverts, people who seek the limelight and enjoy it. And she isn’t one of them.”

They added, “There is no way Catherine would be doing anything in public life if she hadn’t fallen in love with William. She is very open about that.”

So who are the people Kate spends time with when she’s not surrounded by adoring fans and flashing cameras? Well, there’s only a little over a handful of people she keeps consistent company with (and many of them ended up being godparents to her three children!)

From how she met her friends to the details about the recent activities they’ve done together, we got it all here.

Amid Kate’s cancer battle, many have wondered who has been by her side amid it all. Check out the people Kate keeps in her tight inner circle below:

A version of this article was originally published on June 2023.

More from SheKnows

• Insiders Reveal if Kate Middleton Is Feeling 'Isolated' From Prince William Amid Recovery

Best of SheKnows

• 15 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Raised Mormon

• Everything Harry & Meghan Have Done Since Leaving the Royal Family

• 23 Controversial Celebrity Couples That Divided Fans

Alicia Fox-Pitt

One of Kate’s most loyal friends is Alicia Fox-Pitt, whom she met during their Marlborough College days and they were on multiple sports teams together, according to Hello. In fact, she was the one to convince Kate to join the rowing team during her and William’s breakup.

Zoe Warren

Because of Zoe Warren’s family connections to the royal family, she and Kate became fast friends (and one of her royal go-to confidantes!) Fun fact: her daughter was a bridesmaid at Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, per Hello.

James Meade

Not only is James Meade Princess Charlotte’s godfather, but he’s actually one of William’s best friends! Over the years, he and his wife Laura Meade have become Kate and William’s best couple friends.

Lady Laura Meade

As we said, Kate and William and the Meade couple grew even closer as couple friends over the years. Kate has been seen out with her quite a few times, and are reportedly often together on double dates. And she’s also Prince Louis’ godmother, per Harper’s Bazaar!

Rebecca Deacon

While Rebecca Deacon started as Kate’s private secretary, she’s quickly become her right-hand woman and best friend, per POPSUGAR. According to the Daily Mirror, Deacon had “quietly become one of the most important people in Kate’s life.” While Deacon left the position in 2017, it’s said they’ve remained quite close.

Natasha Archer

If the name Natasha Archer is familiar to you, it’s because she’s actually Kate’s PA and stylist. Not only is she a loyal member of Kate’s team, but she and Kate have become quite the pals. So much so that, according to POPSUGAR, she was “one of the first people to arrive at the hospital when Kate gave birth to Prince George and Princess Charlotte.”

Sophie Carter

Not only does Sophie Carter live close to one of Kate and William’s country homes, but she’s Princess Charlotte’s godmother, per EOnline. Carter has been seen out with Kate multiple times over the years, and according to Hello, she joined them on their skiing vacation in 2016.

Rose Hanbury

For those that don’t know, Kate and Rose Hanbury were considered best friends for years. However, the two mysteriously drifted from one another, and that’s when the affair rumors started. However, it seems the two recently reconnected, and Hanbury may be going back to Kate’s inner circle.

Emilia Jardine-Paterson

Often referred to as Kate’s best friend, Emilia Jardine-Paterson. The two met during their time at Marlborough College, and remained good friends over the years. In fact, she helped cure Kate’s broken heart during her split from William and took the two off to Ibiza. Fast forward a few years, and they’re still BFFs and she’s Prince George’s Godmother, per POPSUGAR.

It’s also been reported that Jardine-Paterson used her interior design skills to help Kate redecorate Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall, per Hello.

Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe

Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe is actually one of Kate’s newest friends, and they met through Kate’s two eldest children, according to Entertainment Daily. Lanigan-O’Keeffe is a teacher at Thomas’s Battersea, the school George and Charlotte go to!

Pippa Middleton

Not only are Kate and Pippa Middleton sisters, but they’re best friends! They used to be roommates after they left home, and are seen many times together even today. (And they still go on holiday together with their families all the time, per POPSUGAR!)

Hugh & Rose van Cutsem

The van Cutsem family has been close with the Windors for years, and after William and Kate wed, the four grew incredibly close. the families live super close to one another, and Kate once showed her support for Rose by donning one of her custom sweaters, per DailyMail.

Oliver Baker

Oliver Baker originally met Kate and William during their times as students at St. Andrew’s University, and is also one of Prince George’s Godfathers!