Prince Louis' godparents announced

Kensington Palace have announced Prince Louis' godparents ahead of the new royal bub's christening later today.

A statement released by the royal family states: 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked the following people to be godparents to Prince Louis, all of whom are friends or family of Their Royal Highnesses' 

'Mr. Nicholas van Cutsem, Mr. Guy Pelly, Mr. Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, The Lady Laura Meade, Mrs. Robert Carter, and Miss Lucy Middleton.'

Prince William and Kate Middleton have opted for friends, rather than immediate family members, as is custom for royal children.

Nicolas Van Custem is a longtime friend of William and Harry, and his young daughters were bridesmaids in both Prince's weddings. 

Guy Pelly is a British nightclub owner and entrepreneur who has been friends with Will and Harry for years. Perry even threw Will's stag party prior to his 2011 royal wedding to Kate. 

Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher is the current Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and is a longtime friend of William's. The two have regularly joked about 'playing pranks' on each other during their school years. 

One of William's closest friends, James Meade, married Lady Laura Meade, and the couple became increasingly close to both William and Kate over the years. Mr Meade is part of Prince William’s closest circle of friends and delivered a joint best man’s speech with another of Wills friends at the Buckingham Palace reception after his royal wedding in 2011.

Hannah Carter, the wife of Robert Carter, is an old friend of Will and Kate's. Robert Carter was asked to be Princess Charlotte's godparent in 2015, so it's only fitting his wife was asked to be the latest royal bubs. 

Miss Lucy Middleton is one of Kate, Pippa and James Middleton's cousins.