February 14, 2011 – Prince William has asked his brother Prince Harry to be his best man when he marries Kate Middleton on April 29, and she has asked her sister Philippa to be maid of honour, the palace said Monday.

“Prince William has asked his brother, Prince Harry, to be his best man,” said a statement from St James’s Palace.

It added: “Miss Catherine Middleton has asked her sister, Miss Philippa Middleton, to be her maid of honour.”

Harry, 26, had previously expressed his delight at his older brother’s engagement, saying: “It means I get a sister, which I have always wanted.”

Philippa, also 26, known as Pippa, is Kate’s younger sister and is a regular on the London social circuit. The bride-to-be also has a brother, James.

Kate, 29, and William, 28, met in 2001 at St Andrews University in Scotland where they were both studying art history.

They announced their engagement last November and will be married in Westminster Abbey on April 29 in what will be the biggest royal wedding since his late mother Diana married Prince Charles at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1981.