Prince William and Kate paid their final respects to the Duke of Westminster as they attended a memorial service in his honour on Monday. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by some 2,000 other mourners at Chester Cathedral and were pictured arriving together, clad in black. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, who were representing the Queen, also made the trip to Chester.
The Duke of Westminster's widow Natalia attended with her children Lady Tamara, Lady Edwina, Lady Viola and Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster who has inherited his father's title, estate and family seat.
© Photo: PAPrince William and Kate attended the memorial service at Chester Cathedral
The Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, passed away aged 64 in August. He suffered a heart attack while at Abbeystead Estate and was later taken to hospital in Lancashire, where he died. A spokeswoman from Preston coroner's office confirmed that there would be no inquest as he died of natural causes.
© Photo: PAPrince Charles and Camilla represented the Queen at the service
The Duke was a close friend of the royal family. His widow Natalia is Prince William's godmother, and his son Hugh, 25, is godfather to Prince George. The royals sent private messages of condolences when they learned of the Duke's passing.
© Photo: PAThe Duke of Westminster's widow Natalia led the 2,000 mourners
He was estimated to have a fortune of £8.3billion by Forbes, making him the world's 68th richest person, and the UK’s third. His vast wealth comes from estates in Oxford, Cheshire, Scotland and London; he owned 190 acres in Belgravia, one of London's most expensive districts.
© Photo: PAHugh Grosvenor has inherited his father's title and fortune
Three days after his death, a private funeral service was held for his close family. The Grosvenor Estate released a statement, confirming: "A quiet private funeral service, attended only by close family members, was held this afternoon, Friday August 12, for the Duke of Westminster who died on Tuesday August 9 2016."
© Photo: PALady Edwina, Dan Snow and their children
A short eulogy was also posted on the Grosvenor website, which read: "He was a passionate country man, committed soldier, an excellent shot, a true entrepreneur and, importantly, he went out of his way to be courteous and humorous with all people, regardless of status or wealth.
© Photo: PALady Viola, daughter of Duke of Westminster
"Distinctly down-to-earth, the Duke of Westminster was rarely seen without a Diet Coke and a cigarette (later electric). Not much of a sleeper, one might expect emails from him at any hour of the night and an average week would see him up and down from home in Chester to London and all over the world to visit soldiers, businesses, charities and rural estates while representing and promoting numerous organisations."
