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Brothers at the Heart of Love, Drama, and Tragedy in the Lives of Prince Harry and Prince William
A set of three brothers has emerged as key figures in the lives of Prince Harry and Prince William, bringing love, drama, and tragedy to their story.
These brothers, known as the Van Straubenze boys, were classmates of the young princes at Lovegrove School and have remained close friends throughout their adult years.
Henry, Thomas, and Charlie, members of the landed gentry of Spenethorn, North Yorkshire, originally from the Netherlands, have a strong military tradition.
Their presence is highly anticipated in Harry's autobiography, where they are mentioned numerous times.
One of the most shocking revelations from Harry's memoir is his claim that he was not William's best man.
Instead, it was one of the four Van Straubenze brothers who had the honor.
Additionally, one of the brothers secretly served as Harry's best man, while the middle brother tragically passed away at a young age.
According to Spare, the older brother stood by William's side as his best man, while the younger brother, Henry, was a close friend of Harry's.
Tragically, Henry died in a car crash at the age of 18, similar to their mother's fate, as neither were wearing seatbelts.
It remains unclear whether the family wishes to be mentioned in the book or have the seatbelt incident brought up.
During an annual fundraiser memorializing Henry, Meghan and Harry attended, choosing the Van Straubenze platform to discuss poverty and education.
Harry took the opportunity to highlight Meghan's passion for menstrual health, stating, “As my wife said many years ago when working on menstrual health and education, this isn't about periods but potential.”
Meghan also read a poem about activism during the memorial, leaving one to wonder about the Van Straubenze family's thoughts on Harry and Meghan, although they still maintain a close relationship with William and Catherine.
The eldest Van Straubenze brother, Thomas, has been a close friend of both Harry and William since their school days.
However, recent controversy surrounds his best man status.
Interestingly, Thomas is one of Princess Charlotte's five godparents.
Harry's claim that he was not William's best man due to not delivering the best man's speech raises eyebrows.
Multiple sources at the time reported that Harry did, in fact, give the speech.
The two friends mentioned in Spare provided comedic relief, as highlighted by an article from the Mirror.
In August 2018, shortly after Harry and Meghan's wedding, Harry served as the best man for the third Van Straubenze brother.
The event was captured by paparazzi, with many photos featuring Meghan, who was also celebrating her birthday that day.
Unfortunately, some images raised eyebrows, showing her adjusting her dress in a manner that seemed intentional.
It is evident that the Van Straubenze brothers hold a significant place in the lives of Prince Harry and Prince William.
Their presence brings both joy and sorrow, adding another layer to the complex relationships within the royal family.