From the Telegraph today regarding bridesmaid and pages :
A senior royal source said of the list: “It was completely the couple’s decision. There was no pressure on them from anyone else in the family to choose anyone in particular.
“All of the bridesmaids and page boys are the children of people Catherine has known for many years and counts as her own friends.”
The source pointed out that Miss Middleton, 29, “comes from a much smaller family than Prince William”, meaning she has few relations whose children are the appropriate age.
The royal insider also added that there would be “roles for other children that are entirely private”. Miss Middleton’s mother, Carole, the daughter of a builder, has an extended family in west London, with whom she has had little contact since she married in 1980. They include an aunt and a cousin living in Southall and a great aunt who will celebrate her 100th birthday in May. Relations have blamed the rift on a falling-out between Mrs Middleton’s mother and other members of the family in the 1970s.
Among the children who could be given a behind-the-scenes role is Miss Middleton’s 10-year-old cousin, Tallulah, the daughter of her uncle, Gary Goldsmith, 46. Mr Goldsmith, Mrs Middleton’s only brother, embarrassed the Middleton family when he was filmed offering cocaine to an undercover reporter two years ago. But it is understood he that is likely to be invited to the wedding after being forgiven by his sister.
Like Miss Middleton, Diana, Princess of Wales, had only one bridesmaid from her “side”, five-year-old Clementine Hambro, her favourite pupil at the Young England kindergarten in Pimlico, London, where she taught.
A senior royal source said of the list: “It was completely the couple’s decision. There was no pressure on them from anyone else in the family to choose anyone in particular.
“All of the bridesmaids and page boys are the children of people Catherine has known for many years and counts as her own friends.”
The source pointed out that Miss Middleton, 29, “comes from a much smaller family than Prince William”, meaning she has few relations whose children are the appropriate age.
The royal insider also added that there would be “roles for other children that are entirely private”. Miss Middleton’s mother, Carole, the daughter of a builder, has an extended family in west London, with whom she has had little contact since she married in 1980. They include an aunt and a cousin living in Southall and a great aunt who will celebrate her 100th birthday in May. Relations have blamed the rift on a falling-out between Mrs Middleton’s mother and other members of the family in the 1970s.
Among the children who could be given a behind-the-scenes role is Miss Middleton’s 10-year-old cousin, Tallulah, the daughter of her uncle, Gary Goldsmith, 46. Mr Goldsmith, Mrs Middleton’s only brother, embarrassed the Middleton family when he was filmed offering cocaine to an undercover reporter two years ago. But it is understood he that is likely to be invited to the wedding after being forgiven by his sister.
Like Miss Middleton, Diana, Princess of Wales, had only one bridesmaid from her “side”, five-year-old Clementine Hambro, her favourite pupil at the Young England kindergarten in Pimlico, London, where she taught.