Thomas van Straubenzee attended Ludgroe Prep School in Berkshire with Prince William, and remains a member of his inner circle. He, along with James Meade, was an usher and gave a speech at William and Kate's 2011 wedding. He also helped celebrate before the big event as one of more than twenty guys who reportedly attended a secret "stag" party at a Norfolk estate owned by the van Custem's. William returned the favour by participating in Thomas's 2013 nuptials as an usher.
The fun continued with Thomas just last year, when he joined William and other pals on a ski trip to Switzerland that landed the prince in hot water after he was photographed dancing and drinking at a nightclub.
Despite his rowdy reputation, Thomas is one of Princess Charlotte's godparents.