When Sam Waley-Cohen crossed the finish line at this year's Grand National on his horse Noble Yeates, he would have had a team of royal supporters celebrating his victory.
The 39-year-old jockey is good pals with The Firm thanks to his surprising friendship with the Duchess of Cambridge, and he's even been credited with getting her back together with Prince William after they split early in their relationship.
He's been spotted out and about with Kate on several occasions, and photographed with her in fancy dress at a rollerskating party before she married into the royal family.
Sam was a guest at Kate and William's royal wedding, and the Duchess and sister Pippa were in the congregation for his nuptials to Bella Ballin.
After his victory at Aintree, the Cambridges took to social media to congratulate their pal on his win.
We take a look at Kate and Sam's unexpected relationship over the years.
Tragic loss
Kate and Sam became pals under tragic circumstances, as the Duchess was originally friends with the jockey's younger brother Thomas.
Thomas died in 2004, just days after his 20th birthday. He was diagnosed with the bone cancer Ewing’s sarcoma in 1995.
Sam focused racing while dealing with the loss of his brother and was quick to reference him following his Grand National success, revealing that his initials were on his saddle.
After Thomas's death, Kate organised a charity roller disco in London to raise money for a paediatric surgery ward named after him.
She's pictured at the event wearing yellow hot pants and a green sequin top, while Sam wore a bright pink blazer with an orange top.
Royal matchmaking
After meeting at university and falling in love, Kate and Wills split in 2007. The couple discussed the brief breakup during their engagement interview.
Kate admitted: "At the time, I wasn’t very happy about it, but it made me a stronger person.
"You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realised.
"I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you’re younger. I really valued that time for me as well, although I didn’t think it at the time."
William added: "We were both very young… we were both finding ourselves and being different characters. It was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up, so it was just a bit of space and it worked out for the better."
However before long they were back together, and Sam reportedly played a big part in their reunion.
Despite awkwardness surrounding the breakup, the jockey decided to invite both of them to his 'Freakin Naughty-themed party' at his family's Oxfordshire manson.
According to MailOnline, Wills wore hot pants and a policeman helmet and Kate was dressed as a naughty nurse in fishnets.
They were reportedly seen in deep conversation during the evening, and within just a few weeks they were back together.
However Sam always plays down his role, saying in 2011: "There’s an idea that I was like Cupid with a bow and arrow. People love the idea that somebody put them back together, but they put themselves together far more."
Days out
Kate and Sam have been pictured together several times over the years, normally enjoying a day out at the races.
Back in 2008 they were seen laughing together at Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival, chatting as they looked through their race programmes.
They also attended each others weddings, and were seen arriving at the ceremonies in their finest outfits.
Race message
Kate and Wills were clearly watching Saturday's race as they were among the first to congratulate their pal on social media.
Taking to Twitter, they said: "Huge congratulations to @swaleycohen for winning the Grand National. What a way to retire!"
