The Prince of Wales has lost one of his closest friends – Hugh van Cutsem passed away on Tuesday at the age of 72.A former officer in the Household Cavalry, Mr Van Cutsem had been close to Prince Charles since their days together at Cambridge University in the Sixties.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe friends' shared interests included rural life, field sports and shooting, and the pair regularly holidayed together.
His son Edward was a pageboy at Charles' 1981 wedding to Lady Diana Spencer. And his granddaughter Grace was the much talked about flower girl at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.
The cute five-year-old daughter of Hugh and Rose van Cutsem proved a real talking point when she put her hands over her ears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace when the newlywed royals shared a kiss.
© Photo: Getty ImagesWilliam and Kate's inner circle of friends includes Mr Van Cutsem's four sons Edward, 39, 36-year-old Nicholas and William, 33. It's likely one of them may be asked to be godfather to Prince George.
Hugh and his wife Emilie lived for a time at Amner Hall, on the Queen's Sandringham Estate, during their 42-year marriage. The residence is now tipped to be the country home of William and Kate.
