Can the Van Straubenzee family help bridge the royal rift between Prince Harry and Prince William?

Prince William is meeting the mother of Prince Harry’s childhood friend who had passed away in 2002.

Prince William will award the Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) to Claire van Straubenzee, a trusted friend of the royal family. 

Claire's son, Henry, who was Prince Harry's childhood companion, tragically passed away in a car accident at 18 years old in 2002. 

In response to his death, Claire established the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund in 2007. 

The fund aims to support education in Uganda, reflecting Henry's aspiration to teach at a school in Africa during his gap year before attending Newcastle University.

As Claire receives her award, she will be joined by her husband Alexander, aged 73, and her sons Thomas, 41, and Charlie, 35, who maintain a close relationship with both Harry and William. 

Despite Prince Harry's arrival in London yesterday for a service commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral today, he is not anticipated to be present at the gathering. 

Henry, affectionately known as 'Henners' by Prince Harry, was the subject of mention in the royal's autobiography, "Spare." Their friendship blossomed during their time at Ludgrove Prep in Berkshire.

In his memoir, the Duke recounted that Henry was the sole friend to inquire about his mother, Princess Diana, following her tragic passing in a car accident in 1997.

Today's family gathering holds a mix of emotions, tinged with both joy and sorrow, especially since it follows Claire and Alex's recent declaration of closing their charity by year's end. 

It signifies the conclusion of another collaborative venture between Prince William and Prince Harry. 

Both royals have served as patrons of the charity since 2009, making it the only organization they jointly patronized.

The van Straubenzees have frequently been likened to a second family for William and Harry. 

Claire and Alex offered a sanctuary for the royal brothers during the tumultuous period of Charles and Diana's highly publicized and distressing divorce, often dubbed the 'war of the Waleses.'

The connection between the two families spans generations.

Princess Diana briefly served as a nanny to Thomas van Straubenzee's cousin and maintained a close friendship with his uncle, Willie.