Additional Coverage:
- Prince William Honors Prince Harry’s Friend Jaco van Gass Amid Ongoing Family Drama (usmagazine.com)
Prince William recently honored Jaco van Gass, a close friend of Prince Harry, with a prestigious OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his impressive cycling achievements. The investiture ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 25th, also saw William knighting England football manager, Gareth Southgate. William marked the occasion with a congratulatory Instagram post praising Southgate’s contributions to the sport.
Van Gass, a Paralympic champion, and his wife, Kathryn, celebrated the OBE on social media, sharing a photo taken outside Buckingham Palace. This new honor comes after Van Gass received an MBE in 2022.
The prince and the decorated athlete share a long history, having participated together in a 2013 charity expedition to the South Pole for Walking With the Wounded. Van Gass, an amputee, has also been a regular competitor and multi-gold medalist at Harry’s Invictus Games. He has spoken fondly of his friendship with the prince and the camaraderie they share.
This recognition of Van Gass comes amidst ongoing tension between Princes William and Harry. Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. Sources suggest that the brothers remain estranged, with William reportedly feeling the absence of his brother both personally and professionally.