The 'Cambridge Set' and Friends
 

A recent news article mentioned the fact that so many of William's friends are offspring of Charles' friends- the group that is known as the Highgrove Set, with familiar names like Van Cutsem, Tollemache, Van Straubenzee, Palmer-Tomlinson, etc.

Will the sons and daughters of Charles' friends form the basis of what will now be the Cambridge Set?

The article mentioned that Diana regarded this group (the Highgrove Set) with dread; does it mean that William is taking on more and more of his father's tastes and character?

Or is it simply that we all tend to befriend the people we see most frequently and know to be trustworthy?

In Prince William case the friends selection must be a lot about keeping it shoosh. He's very private and seems to prefer people whose background he is already familiar with.
Can't blame him for it. To trust someone in his position must be hard. But since so many people who have have met him and Catherine say they are really down to earth, I assume they have a good head on their shoulders and are not that affected by others.

I'm sure like any one of us, we form our first friendships because of where our parents lived and what their lifestyle was like. It would stand to reason then that Charles' "Highgrove set" would have wanted the same for their children, the same schools, the polo clubs and other activities and with that, William would have formed early friendships. There's also the Glossy possie which is a nickname for the group of Will's friends from that area. As he grew older of course his circle expanded.. to St. Andrew's .. to the military and to his patronages and interests. I think it was very much reflected in his wedding guests of who and what is important to him in his life. The guest lists showed a big chunk of the invitees there that meant something to both William and Kate. And I do say Kate as I would imagine that with her being with him for so many years, his friends and his interests would have become hers as much as hers became his. What I did think was amusing was the "test" William would have. He'd slip a bit of nonsense to people and if it showed up in the papers, he knew where it came from. The man has smarts methinks.

They are very down to earth people and obviously make friends wherever they go. They are private people but aren't exclusive and seem to connect with people no matter where they go. In a way I think its a gift that many politicians of this world would wish they had.

It boils down to one thing. whatever you give out is what is given back to you in return.

Osipi, thanks for this very thoughful analysis.

I feel that the difference between politicians and members of the aristocracy is not as great as one might think.

Through the Scottish Parliament I have met a large number of parlamentarians; the majority of these are just like you and me, but one can tell which are the exceptional ones. They are unfailingly polite and don't push themselves forward, and I think of them as the "aristocrats of parliament".

Silly me. I was thinking the emeralds!

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

So was I!:biggrin:

I guess as a member of the Cambridge set and William's friend, this article goes here.
Duke of Cambridge's friend Nicholas van Cutsem is cleared of horse-whipping trooper - Telegraph

I don't think William is friends with the Palmer - Tomlinsons. They were no doubt invited to his wedding by his dad. The other friends mentioned aren't friends of the Prince Wales except for the van Cutsems. The Tollemaches and von Straubenzees were friends of William's mother. Pelly and most other friends, he made on his own at infant school or Eton.

Guilty as charged, too! Moving on...:lol:

I am sure that the Duke and Duchess will make up their on mind as to which people they are friendly with.

They are certainly welcome to meet and possibly befriend the Duke and Duchess of Durham. :smile:

I don't think so.
Diana had very few friends, especially after the divorce from Charles.

I recall reading that most of the aristocracy who'd befriended her simply dropped her afterwards, preferring to keep on good terms with Charles. Diana could no longer count on taking her sons to the country house parties and shooting events so common in that strata of society.

William and Harry basically grew up around the same people who were close to their father, although it is true they both have close friendships from prep school and Eton.

WhatKateWore.com ‏@WhatKateWore
Kate & Lupo out for a stroll in Hyde Park yesterday, many thanks to WKW FB friend Jennifer for sharing the photo. pic.twitter.com/peCp2HC6f3

Could that friend be Trini? she has similar hair and Trini has a baby

Yes she's Trini Foyle for sure :flowers:
She was spotted with her at Kensington Gardens in November too

Who is Trini Foyle? Can somebody enlighten me? :-)

Google says she's Catherine's friend.

:previous: Thank heavens for the Google and the Twitter. That way we can truly keep up with her current events.

She's one of her friends like Emilia d'Erlanger. They went to see the Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza show on her 31st birthday :flowers: