William to be Harry's best man

Britain's Prince Harry has finally asked Prince William to be his best man at his wedding next month, Kensington Palace confirmed yesterday, reinforcing the brotherly bond between them.

Harry, 33, and 35-year-old William often poke fun at each other in public.

However, beneath the jocularity, the bond between them is strong, forged by the shock death of their mother Diana, princess of Wales in 1997 -- and the support they offer each other is evident.

Even though William hitherto joked about Harry not having asked him, there was little doubt whom he would turn to for his big day.

William spoke about their connection last year -- the 20th anniversary of Diana's death -- telling his wife Kate during an interview as Harry sat with them: "We have been brought closer because of the circumstances.

"We are uniquely bonded because of what we've been through."

Harry performed best man duties at William and Kate's wedding in 2011.

And when it is Harry's turn at the altar, as he marries US former actress Meghan Markle, William will be at his side holding the wedding ring.

The announcement comes three days after the birth of William and Kate's third child on Monday, who joins four-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, aged two, in the Cambridge family.

William and Kate are yet to name the new prince and are giving little away as the public waits to find out what the baby, fifth in line to the throne, will be called.

Markle is still to announce who will be her maid of honour. William now has the responsibility of organising a stag party for his brother, as well as performing the best man's speech.

Bookmakers have Switzerland and the Scottish Highlands as their favourite stag destination. Las Vegas -- where Harry was infamously photographed partying naked in 2012 -- is considered a remote shot.