London , England ( CNN ) -- Prince William 's younger brother Prince Harry will be his best man when he marries Kate Middleton in London in April , Clarence House announced Monday . Middleton 's sister Philippa will be her maid of honor . William , who is second in line to the throne , is due to marry his long-time girlfriend April 29 at Westminster Abbey . Prince Harry is currently third in line of succession . Royal protocol states that the groom should have a `` supporter '' rather than a Best Man and speculation was rife that Prince Harry would be named supporter , and another friend of Prince William announced as his best man . Prince Charles elected his brother Prince Andrew to be his `` supporter '' when he married Diana , Princess of Wales in 1981 . Naming Harry best man is a break with protocol , and is being taken as an indication of William and Kate 's more modern approach to their upcoming wedding , which is taking place at Westminster Abbey on April 29 . Harry will be organizing the Prince 's `` stag '' or bachelor party . Meanwhile Philippa , or `` Pippa , '' will be expected to pull together Kate 's `` hen '' or bachelorette party . William 's office at Clarence House also announced that there will be four bridesmaids and two page boys , including two of William 's godchildren . They are Grace van Cutsem , 3 , and Tom Pettifer , 8 . Pettifer is the son of Tiggy Pettifer , William and Harry 's former nanny -- an important figure in the young Princes ' lives , especially following the death of their mother in 1997 . Lady Louise Windsor , 7 , the Hon . Margarita Armstrong-Jones , 8 , and Eliza Lopes , 3 , will be the other bridesmaids . Lady Windsor , is the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex as well as being the Queen 's granddaughter , while Armstrong-Jones , Prince William 's second cousin , is the daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley . Lopes , meanwhile , is the granddaughter of Prince William 's stepmother , the Duchess of Cornwall . William `` Billy '' Lowther-Pinkerton , 10 , the son of Prince William 's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton , will be the other page boy . Details regarding the Bridesmaid 's dresses and Page Boys ' uniforms will remain a secret until the day of the wedding , Clarence House said . Notable royals who have been left off the list include the Prince 's cousin , Zara Phillips , who also announced her own engagement last year . Wedding Planner , Sarah Haywood , gives CNN the lowdown on they myriad of duties the the average best man and maid of honor are expected to perform . Best man 's duties . • Arrange the `` stag '' or bachelor party • Assist the groom with choice of outfit • Pick-out the ushers ' outfits with the bride and groom • Collect and return any hired formalwear • Act as intermediary between the groom and ushers and ensure they know what elements of their outfit they will need to provide , or are expected to wear , on the day • Attend the wedding rehearsal and learn how the ceremony will proceed and where the bridal party are to be seated • Brief ushers of their required arrival time on the day • Stay with the groom on the eve of the wedding • Take responsibility for the groom 's documents , money and valuables on the wedding day • Get the groom to the ceremony at least 45 minutes before it starts • Organize , oversee and brief the ushers • Distribute buttonholes , corsages and Orders of Service • Look after the wedding ring ( s ) and hand to the groom during the ceremony • Escort the chief bridesmaid to the reception • Ensure guests all have transport ( if required ) to the reception and know their way • Check for items left behind at the ceremony and take to the reception • Join the reception Receiving Line to welcome guests • Take charge of the gift display and arrange delivery following the wedding • Act as Master of Ceremonies if there is no official Toastmaster • Make a fabulous , humorous and tasteful speech ( and read telegrams , e-mails and cards from absent friends and family ) • Hit the dance floor with enthusiasm at the reception and invite singletons to dance . Maid of honor 's duties . • Attend wedding dress fittings and know how to assist the bride with her dress on the day • Help choose the bridesmaids ' outfits and ensure they know what , if anything , they need to purchase themselves • Rally the adult bridesmaids and keep them informed of their duties • Liaise with younger attendants ' parents to keep them and their children up to date with plans • Organize a fabulous `` hen '' or bachelorette party • Collect outfits and accessories • Attend the ceremony rehearsal • Stay with the bride the eve and morning of the wedding and assist her dress • Meet the bride at the ceremony and arrange her dress and veil • Oversee the bridesmaids , flower girls and pageboys • Take the bride 's bouquet during the ceremony • `` Strut her stuff '' on the dance floor at the reception at the earliest opportunity .
Prince William 's younger brother will be his best man when he marries Kate Middleton . Middleton 's sister Philippa will be her maid of honor . The couple will have four bridesmaids and two page boys . William is second in line to the throne .