How a newborn baby ended up being drawn into the drama surrounding Prince Harry and Prince William

She’s not even a month old yet but a baby girl has, somewhat unexpectedly, been drawn into the drama surrounding Prince William and Prince Harry.

The two brothers, once famously close, are reported not to have spoken to one another since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Since then, Harry has published a damning memoir and given several interviews in which his ire towards his brother has been far from contained. William, in contrast, has chosen a dignified silence. However, their names are once again being mixed together.

Their friend, the Duke of Westminster, has just become a father for the first time. He’s been close to both brothers for many years and was godfather to Prince George and, also, reportedly to Prince Archie although Harry and Meghan have never confirmed the name of their children’s baptismal sponsors. Now, it’s the font that is the fount of this latest rumour. For the Sunday papers are speculating that the brand new Westminster baby might count both brothers as her own godfathers.

Hugh Grosvenor, as the Duke of Westminster is called, and his wife, Olivia, are enjoying their baby bubble with their little girl, Lady Cosima. And while it’s all but expected that the Prince of Wales will be among her godparents, the Sunday Times has reported that Hugh has also considered asking Harry to stand sponsor but concerns over the fractured nature of the brotherly bond between the princes is a major consideration.

Whether the Duke and Duchess of Westminster have thought about making their baby’s big day into a potential royal rapprochement session isn’t confirmed. There’s no doubt that should both brothers be asked to fulfil this rather important honour and become godfathers to Cosima Florence Grosvenor then their presence at the church on christening day would turn a family event into a media circus.

Prince William attended Hugh and Olivia’s wedding at Chester Cathedral in 2024 and even acted as an usher. Harry later said he had been sent a save the date card but had decided not to go while other reports suggested that the Duke of Westminster, one of the wealthiest people in the country, didn’t want his bride’s big day spoiled and was clear from the offset that she came first. In the end, it was a spectacular celebration with the new duchess taking all the attention in a stunning dress and fabulous blue shoes.

The christening of baby Cosima will, most likely, take place some time in the autumn. The WIndsors and the Grosvenors are close with Hugh’s mother acting as godmother to Prince William in 1982. No doubt at least one of the Royal Family will be at the font for the christening of Cosima but will the baptism also include a bond of brothers? Only the future will tell.