William’s Pre-Wedding Remarks to Kate Made His Former Private Secretary ‘Breathless’
Former private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton revealed he was ‘terrified’ when William handed over complete control of the wedding of the century to Kate with just four short words.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, former private secretary to the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, recently revealed memorable behind-the-scenes details before William and Kate’s 2011 wedding in an interview with The Times.
He said he was extremely nervous when William simply said four words: “You take charge,” entrusting him with the task of coordinating the royal wedding watched by the whole world. “The wedding went wonderfully, but I was terrified when I heard him say that,” Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton recounted. “It was like being told to command a division. Surrounded by brilliant professionals, my job was simply to set the rules and let them do what they did best,” the former secretary added.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, 65, served in the British Army’s SAS special forces before joining the royal family. He was William and Harry’s private secretary from 2005 to 2013, witnessed William’s romance with Kate, and was directly involved in preparing for their wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
He maintained a close relationship with William and Kate’s family after leaving this position. In 2013, the Prince and Princess of Wales chose him as one of Prince George’s godfathers.
In the interview, Jamie also recounted an awkward encounter with Princess Kate in Suffolk in September 2025. When Kate approached to greet him with a kiss, he bowed in a formal gesture, causing them to almost bump into each other.
“I was so embarrassed I almost bumped into her. I didn’t know whether to bow or respond. Kate was lovely,” he said.
Jamie also had high praise for the Princess of Wales: “She’s wonderful. William made the right choice. I think they’re a great couple.”
The former private secretary declined to comment on the alleged rift between William and Harry, but affirmed that he still held the Prince of Wales’ younger brother in high regard. “I should avoid talking about Harry’s issues. What I can say is that I have and still hold him in high regard. Harry has many admirable qualities and I’m always an optimist,” he shared.
In his memoir Spare, published in 2023, Harry also spoke positively about the man the two brothers affectionately called “JLP,” praising him as straightforward, loyal, and someone who never tolerated dishonesty.
