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Inside the Duke of Westminster's connections to the royal family

Hugh Grosvenor is close friends with Prince William and Prince Harry

Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
On 22 April 2024
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The Duke of Westminster, who will wed Olivia Henson on 7 June, is widely known to be a close friend of Prince William and Prince Harry, but what else do we know about the family's connections to the royal family?

Hugh's late father, Gerald Grosvenor, was a confidante of King Charles and even asked the then Prince of Wales to be his son's godfather following Hugh's birth in 1990.

Gerald's widow, Natalia, is a godmother to Prince William and in turn, the late Diana, Princess of Wales was chosen to be godmother to Gerald's second daughter, Lady Edwina Grosvenor.

The two families' connections have remained strong throughout the years, with William asking his pal Hugh to be one of Prince George's godparents.

And while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave the identities of Archie's godparents private following his christening in 2019, it has since emerged that Hugh was also given the honour for Harry and Meghan's son.

The Grosvenor family have been among the guests at many a royal gathering, including William and Kate's wedding in 2011, and Harry and Meghan's nuptials in 2018.

The late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended Gerald and Natalia's eldest daughter Lady Tamara's wedding to William's close friend, Edward Van Cutsem at Chester Cathedral in 2004.

Gerald Grosvenor with the Queen and Prince Philip at Lady Tamara's wedding© Getty
Gerald Grosvenor with the Queen and Prince Philip at Lady Tamara's wedding in 2004

As well as being one of the wealthiest landowners in Britain, Gerald was renowned for his charity work and was a supporter of Charles' organisation, The Prince's Trust.

Their respect for one another was evident when Charles asked Gerald to become a private mentor and a guide to a young Prince William.

Hugh Grsovenor with Prince William at Lady Tamara's wedding in 2004© Getty
A 14-year-old Hugh with William at Lady Tamara's wedding in 2004

There was a huge royal turnout at the memorial service for the 6th Duke of Westminster following his untimely death at the age of 64. Gerald suffered a heart attack on his Abbeystead Estate and later died at Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire on 9 August 2016.

Prince Charles and Gerald Grosvenor in 2011© Getty
Gerald, pictured in 2011 with Charles, served in the Army

Gerald's only son, Hugh, became the Duke of Westminster at the age of 25 was ranked 11th on the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated fortune of £9.9 billion after inheriting the Grosvenor estate.

Prince George’s godfather Hugh Grosvenor will wed food ingredient company account manager Olivia Henson
Prince George’s godfather Hugh Grosvenor will wed food ingredient company account manager Olivia Henson

The Grosvenor family's connections to the royal family can also be traced back to Queen Victoria's reign when she bestowed the title upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquess of Westminster in 1874, making it the most recent dukedom conferred on someone not related to royalty. 

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