Live updates from the Duke of Westminster’s ‘society wedding of the year’ as Prince William arrives in Chester

VaselineJune 7, 2024

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Live updates from the Duke of Westminster’s ‘society wedding of the year’ as Prince William arrives in Chester

The Duke of Westminster marries Olivia Henson in Chester today in what is billed as the society wedding of the year.

Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster, is one of the richest men in the country and his property company owns Liverpool ONE. The 33-year-old will marry his 31-year-old fiancee at Chester Cathedral.

Prince William has already arrived and will be an usher at the lunchtime ceremony – but it is understood neither the Princess of Wales nor the Duke of Sussex will attend.

The Duke of Westminster topped The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich list earlier this year, boasting a fortune of £10.1 billion, reports Wales Online.

His bride-to-be, originally from London and Oxfordshire, works in the sustainable food and drink industry, most recently with London-based artisan food company Belazu. The couple reportedly chose the wedding venue for its beauty and personal connection to the Duke, whose family home, Eaton Hall, is nearby.

We’ll have updates and pictures as they come in from society’s big occasion.

11:28Key event

The Royals are not expected to participate

Prince William will serve as emcee for the lunchtime ceremony, while his brother, the Duke of Sussex, has mutually agreed not to attend, the ECHO reports.

The Princess of Wales, currently undergoing cancer treatment and largely out of the public eye, is not expected to attend. Neither the King, who is the groom’s godfather, nor the Queen, who attended D-Day commemorations in France on Thursday, are expected to attend the ceremony.

Ten-year-old Prince George, who is the Duke’s son, is not expected to attend the wedding as it falls on a school day.

11:25Key event

Prince William has already arrived

Prince William arrived at Chester Cathedral for the ceremony. He is expected to serve as an usher at today’s wedding.

Prince William is close friends with the Duke, who is Prince George’s godfather. Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets outside.

The Prince of Wales arrives at the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

11:21 a.mJess Molyneux

The couple announced their engagement last year

The Duke, 33, and Olivia, 30, first announced their engagement last year. A brief statement released at the time said: “The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson are delighted to announce that they are engaged to be married.

“The couple, who have been together for two years, recently got engaged at the Duke’s home at Eaton Hall in Cheshire. Members of both families are absolutely delighted with the news.”

11:19 a.mKey event

Why did the couple choose Chester Cathedral?

The couple previously revealed why they chose Chester Cathedral as their wedding venue.

A spokesman said: “The couple chose the cathedral both for its beauty and for its long association with the Grosvenor family, including the Duke himself. Cheshire is the ancestral home of the Grosvenors and as Miss Henson’s connection with the region continues to grow, they are keen to plan their wedding there.

“The Duke and Miss Henson got engaged at Eaton Hall in April and have been incredibly grateful for the warm messages of congratulations they have received since then.”

11:15Key event

Who are Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson?

Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster, is one of the richest men in the country and his property company owns Liverpool ONE. The 33-year-old will marry his 31-year-old fiancee at Chester Cathedral.

11:10Jess Molyneux