At just 25-years-old, Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor is now one of the richest people in the world. This week he inherited the title and estate of his father, the Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, which is estimated to stand at £8.3billion.
The entire fortune, including the family seat, Eaton Hall near Chester, now goes to Hugh - whose new title is the 7th Duke of Westminster - making him the 68th wealthiest billionaire in the world, and the third richest in the UK.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHugh Grosvenor, the new Duke of Westminster, arriving for Prince George's christening in 2013
Despite his family's vast wealth and their royal connections – Hugh's mother is Prince William's godmother, and Hugh himself is godfather to Prince George – the new duke prefers to live his life out of the spotlight.
He is the third child of Gerald and his wife Natalia Phillips; he has three sisters, Lady Tamara, 36, who is married to one of William's best friends, Edward van Cutsem, and Lady Edwina, 34, who is married to TV presenter and historian Dan Snow, and 23-year-old Lady Viola.
Hugh and his sister were all educated at a local state primary school – unusual for the children of hereditary peers – before attending a small private day school near the family home Eaton Hall, and then Ellesmere College.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe 25-year-old is the third child of the late Gerald Grosvenor and wife Natalia
He went on to study countryside management at Newcastle University and the University of Oxford.
As well as gaining considerable media attention when he accepted the role of Prince George's godfather in 2013, Hugh made headlines with a 21st birthday party that was rumoured to have cost £5million at Eaton Hall.
Prince Harry was among the 800 invitees invited to the celebrations, while comedian Michael McIntyre and hip hop band Rizzle Kicks provided the entertainment. In keeping with Hugh's private nature, media were banned from attending the spectacular event.
Speaking to The Chester Chronicle at the time, Hugh said: "The party was simply amazing – a birthday and a party I will never forget. It is the beginning of a new era in my life and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
