Prince George’s godfather, Jamie Lowther‑Pinkerton, joined the Princess of Wales for a public reunion Thursday during her visit to the Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk, where the pair exchanged smiles and hugs.
Lowther‑Pinkerton, who holds the post of Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, previously served as the first private secretary to then‑Prince William, then‑Catherine and Prince Harry from 2005 to 2013 and was later named a godfather to the couple’s eldest son, Prince George, who was born in 2013.
The eight‑year tenure Lowther‑Pinkerton served as private secretary was described by those close to the royal household as nearly twice as long as any of his successors, reflecting the close working relationship he developed with the then‑Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their early years as senior royals. A former Special Air Service major, he was credited with helping to guide the couple and Royal Household staff in preparation for the arrival of Prince George.
Lowther‑Pinkerton’s ties to the family run deeper than his professional role. He served as equerry to the late Queen Mother between 1984 and 1986, was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2013 New Year’s Honours, and is a distant relative of the royal family through the 1st Earl of Bessborough. After training at Sandhurst and joining the Irish Guards in 1979, he later assumed local civic duties in Suffolk and has held trusteeship and directorship roles with royal charities, including the Royal Foundation. He had previously been associated with Sentebale, the charity co‑founded by Prince Harry, from which he resigned earlier this year.
During Thursday’s visit the Princess of Wales, 43, toured the 300‑year‑old Sudbury Silk Mills — an enterprise focused on preserving and developing Britain’s textile industry — where she met designers, discussed design patterns and observed the production process and final quality checks. The engagement was one of several public appearances by the princess this year as she continues to represent the royal household at cultural and industry events.
Lowther‑Pinkerton’s son, also named William, was a pageboy at William and Catherine’s 2011 wedding, underscoring the families’ longstanding personal connections. After stepping down as private secretary in 2013, Lowther‑Pinkerton maintained links with the household and local institutions before taking on the ceremonial duties attached to his Suffolk role.
The brief public reunion offered a rare glimpse of Lowther‑Pinkerton, who typically avoids the spotlight. It also highlighted the continuity of long‑standing relationships that continue to shape private and public aspects of the working royal family.