Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson were joined by glam aristocratic and royal guests at their Chester Cathedral wedding (but no sign of Prince Harry!)

It was the biggest society wedding of the year, as crowds lined the streets of Chester to catch a glimpse of blushing bride Olivia Henson and her groom, the Duke of Westminster.

But it wasn’t only the newlyweds that caught the attention of those waiting outside the cathedral – because a host of glamorous guests filled the pews for the wedding of Britain’s richest man under 40.

Among them was British royalty, including the Prince of Wales, 41, who performed his duties as an usher. William was joined by his cousin Princess Eugenie, 34, who looked elegant in a sage green ensemble.

The glamour didn’t stop there, with guest including the Duke’s younger sister, Lady Viola Roberts, who enjoyed her own wedding two years ago, dazzling in pink alongside her husband Angus Roberts.

Lifelong friends of ‘Hughie’ also joined the celebrations, with Charlie van Straubenzee and his wife Daisy, whose daughter Clover is believed to have Prince Harry as her godfather, in attendance.

Here, FEMAIL reveals the guests at the high society wedding of the year…

HUGH GROSVENOR

Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster and Olivia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster wave and smile to well-wishers after their wedding ceremony at Chester Cathedral

Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster, is the only son of Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster.

A close friend of Prince William and Prince Harry, Hugh Grosvenor is the godfather of Prince George, William’s eldest child, and Prince Harry’s son Archie.

He was born as the Earl of Westminster, but assumed the title of Duke when his father passed away in 2016.

His baptism ceremony was attended by King Charles III, who was named as one of his godparents.

Through his mother Natalia, Mr Grosvenor descends from the Russian Imperial House of Romanov, with relations to Nicholas I of Russia.

Raised at Eaton Hall, Cheshire, Hugh Grosvenor was privately educated at Ellesmere College before obtaining a BSc in Countryside Management from Newcastle University.

After his graduation, Grosvenor worked in estate management at the food and agriculture company Wheatsheaf Group, an investment business based in the Eaton estate and owned by the Grosvenor Group.

Afterwards, he held an account manager position at sustainability company bio-bean, which turns coffee-related waste into bioproducts such as biofuels and logs.

The 7th Duke, 33, universally known as ‘Hughie’ to aristocratic friends, is estimated to be worth £10.42billion, making him the richest man under 40 in Britain. 

OLIVIA HENSON 

Introducing the husband and wife! The Duke of Westminster and his bride Olivia following their wedding at Chester Cathedral

Hugh Grosvenor prosed to Olivia Henson, then his girlfriend of two years, in April 2023 at his family seat, Eaton Hall in Cheshire.

The aristocrat released a statement about the happy news, saying: ‘The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson are delighted to announce they are engaged to be married. 

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

‘Hugh Grosvenor, The Duke of Westminster, is Grosvenor’s Chair as well as Chair of the Westminster Foundation. Miss Henson works for Belazu, a B-Corp certified food company based in London.’

Olivia, 31, who also attended Marlborough College, completed a Hispanic Studies and Italian degree at Trinity College in Dublin.

When she was younger, the future Duchess of Westminster was also at the equally revered Dragon School in Oxford, with fellow classmate Emma Watson. 

She now works at sustainable food company Belazu, but according to insiders speaking to Tatler, is said to have left the role to focus on her new ‘era’. 

Olivia descends from the Hoare banking family as well as the Marquesses of Bristol and the Dukes of Rutland, according to the Telegraph.

The outlet also says her uncle is the Grand Master of Scottish freemasons and her is father is stockbroker Rupert Henson.

PRINCE WILLIAM

Prince William was an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding but Prince Harry stayed at home in California

Prince William performed his duties as an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s marriage to Olivia Henson today.

The Prince of Wales, 41, was pictured waving to the cameras as he arrived for the service at Chester Cathedral.

But his brother Harry, also one Hugh Grosvenor’s closest friends, was not in attendance, choosing to remain in California instead.

An insider this week said it would have been ‘difficult’ for Harry to attend, and the decision for him not to come was a ‘understanding between the two friends’.

The Duke of Westminster is the godfather to William’s son Prince George and Harry’s son Archie. 

Sources close to Prince Harry briefed People magazine in America and said he had spoken to the Duke of Westminster, and discussed tensions within the Royal Family. 

People magazine reported it can confirm Harry was invited to the wedding and was not excluded from the event.

Their report reads: ‘However, there was an acknowledgment on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.’ While a source added: ‘It was an understanding between the two friends.’

An insider close to the newly married couple added: ‘The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamour had estranged brothers Prince William, 41, and Prince Harry both attended the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple.’

The publication added that: ‘The Duke of Sussex sends ‘his love and support and admiration for the couple’ for their wedding day.’ 

PRINCESS EUGENIE  

Princess Eugenie put on an elegant display as she left Chester Cathedral following the Duke of Westminster’s society wedding of the year

Princess Eugenie put on an elegant display as she left Chester Cathedral following the Duke of Westminster’s society wedding of the year. 

The King’s niece, 34, looked radiant in an olive pleated dress as she departed the wedding venue at Chester Cathedral this afternoon following the nuptials of friends Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia.

Pictured arriving alongside some of the 400 guests invited to today’s celebration, mother-of-two Eugenie – daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York – teamed her stunning V-neck dress with a chic cream fascinator.

Eugenie, who also went to Marlborough College like the bride, appeared to be attending the event solo, without her husband Jack Brooksbank and their two children August, three, and Ernest, four. 

Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, the royal donned a dainty necklace and gold hoop earrings while sporting a glamorous makeup look.

RUPERT HENSON AND HIS WIFE CAROLINE

Olivia holds flowers as she enters Chester Cathedral alongside her father Rupert for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster 

As the blushing bride arrived in style at Chester Cathedral in a vintage Bentley, she was accompanied by her doting father Rupert.

Rupert Cornelius Brook Henson, who is a stockbroker, looked sharp in a three piece suit, proving he took his role as father of the bride incredibly seriously.

Rupert is married to Caroline Henson (née Frisby) and the couple have three children including Olivia.

Caroline has aristocratic roots herself; she’s a descendant of the Marquess of Bristol.

Caroline and Rupert ensured their children had the very best education growing up; sending Olivia to the prestigious Marlborough College – Princess Eugenie and the Princess of Wales’s alma mater.

LADY EDWINA SNOW, HER HUSBAND DAN AND THEIR CHILDREN ZIA, ORLA AND WOLF

Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Dan Snow attend the society wedding of the year

Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Dan Snow are photographed outside the venue with their children (from L to R) Zia, Orla, and Wolf 

Many of the well-wishers gathered outside Chester Cathedral at the Duke and Duchess of Westminster’s wedding might have recognised a familiar face from the world of television.

Lady Edwina Snow, 42, the Duke’s older sister, is married to history presenter Dan Snow, 45, the son of broadcasting legend Peter Snow. 

He’s married his heiress wife, who is a criminologist, philanthropist and the second-born child of the late Gerald, Duke of Westminster and Natalie Grosvenor, in 2010.

They share their home with their three children Zia, 14, Orla, nine, and Wolf, eight and the family reside in the New Forest in Hampshire.

WILLIAM AND ROSIE VAN CUTSEM

 William van Cutsem, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Rosie van Cutsem after the wedding ceremony

William Van Cutsem is an old friend of Prince William, and another of George’s godparents.

He lives just 24 miles away from late Queen’s Sandringham estate, making him a stalwart of the Royals’ ‘Turnip Toff’ social set.

Mr Van Cutsem’s father Hugh, a friend of King Charles, was a banker and a passionate conservationist who died in 2013.

Prince William is a regular visitor to the Hilborough estate, which has won awards for its conservation work and is regarded as one of the leading wild-bird shoots.

In 2013, he married Rosie Ruck Keene, and William served as an usher.

Mr Van Cutsem’s niece Grace was affectionately dubbed the ‘grumpy bridesmaid’ for covering her ears on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Another niece, Florence, was a bridesmaid at Prince Harry’s wedding.

Charlie van Straubenzee and his wife Daisy 

Charles van Straubenzee and his wife Daisy Jenks arrive at Chester Cathedral ahead of the wedding

Prince William met Thomas and Charlie van Straubenzee when he attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire.

Thomas’ younger brother, Charlie is very close with Prince Harry and is another godfather to his son Archie.

The families have been friends for decades, with their uncle, William an Straubenzee, a close friend of their mother Princess Diana.

Harry made annual summer visits to the Straubenzee family home in Cornwall while he was growing up.

The friends have been pictured together in the past attending events such as the Rugby World Cup in 2015, where they watched England play Australia.

Charlie and Harry were known as perpetual bachelors, and when Charlie’s relationship with Daisy got serious in 2016, a mutual friend told the Daily Mail: ‘This means Harry really does have to find a girlfriend.’ Luckily this was around the time he began his relationship with Meghan.

Both brothers were ushers at the Sussexes’ wedding in 2018 and Charlie even gave a speech at the reception.

The Duke of Sussex acted as Charlie’s best man at his wedding to Daisy, a society wedding and party videographer who runs a company with her sister Kitty, on August 4 later that year in Frensham, Surrey.

Princess Eugenie and her now-husband Jack Brooksbank also attended the nuptials.

Meanwhile Prince Harry is believed to be godfather to Charlie’s daughter Clover, whom he welcomed in 2020.

NATALIA GROSVENOR, DOWAGER DUCHESS OF WESTMINSTER

Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster (left) and Lady Edwina Grosvenor arrive for the wedding

Mother-of-four Natalia Grosvenor, 65, who is known to friends as Tally, is Prince William’s godmother.

Her husband Gerald Grosvenor, 64, had surgery to remove a tumour from his lung in July 2013. The operation was said to have been a success and he apparently made a good recovery.

But Natalia lost her husband three years later in August 2016 after he suffered a sudden heart attack while out on a country walk.

LADY VIOLA ROBERTS AND ANGUS ROBERTS

The Duke of Westminster’s sister and Lady Viola Grosvenor and his brother-in-law Angus Roberts

Formerly Lady Viola Grosvenor, now Lady Roberts, the Duke’s younger sister – and the youngest child of Gerald and Natalie Grosvenor – enjoyed her own wedding two years ago. 

The 31-year-old wed Angus Roberts, of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, in a low-key wedding with only close friends and family invited. 

A more extensive second wedding took place in Africa later in the year; Lady Viola’s husband’s parents, Andy and Caragh, run a hotel resort on the private island of Manda Bay in Kenya.

Before joining the Army, Angus worked for a renewable energy company after graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh. 

He also worked as a host at his parents’ hotel, entertaining guests on safaris, fishing expeditions and kitesurfing adventures. Lady Viola runs her own children’s art therapy business, Magic Canvas.

THOMAS VAN STRAUBENZEE AND WIFE LUCY 

Thomas Van Straubenzee and wife arrive for the ceremony today 

Thomas Van Straubenzee, who attended the wedding today, is the global head of the private office of estate agent Knight Frank.

He is also godfather to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ daughter Princess Charlotte.

The businessman and property consultant, whose parents are Captain Alexander van Straubenzee and Claire Fenwick, used to holiday with William in Cornwall when they were children.

Before Thomas’s marriage to Charlotte’s former teacher from St Thomas’s Battersea, Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe, 32, in 2020, he had a reputation for loving a night out. The couple share a young son, Albert.

His family’s royal links go back decades — old family friends of Princess Diana, she was even the nanny of Thomas Van Straubenzee’s cousin briefly and was also said to have dated his uncle, Willie, after divorcing Charles.

In 2013, Thomas married Lady Melissa Percy, the Duke of Northumberland’s daughter, at her family’s ancestral home Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Princes William and Harry were among the guests.

The couple divorced three years later in 2016, with Thomas’ disputed ‘unreasonable behaviour’ allegedly cited as the reason for the relationship breakdown.

LADY TAMARA AND EDWARD VAN CUTSEM, AND THEIR CHILDREN JAKE, LOUIS AND ISLA 

(L-R) Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, Lady Edwina Grosvenor, Lady Tamara Grosvenor and Lady Viola Grosvenor attend the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson

Lady Tamara and Edward Van Custem are photographed with their daughter Isla, who was a flower girl at the wedding today 

The eldest daughter of the late Duke of Westminster, Gerald and his wife, Natalie Grosvenor, Lady Tamara is 44 and wed to Edward van Cutsem, who she married in a ceremony also at Chester Cathedral 20 years ago in November 2004.

The couple share two sons, Jake Louis Hannibal, 15, and Louis Hugh Lupus, 12, as well as daughter Isla, nine, who was a flower girl for the Duke and Duchess of Westminster today.

Edward, who runs Westerly Winds, a business that advises entrepreneurs, remains one of Prince William’s closest friends; his father was Hugh Van Cutsem, a wealthy banker and landowner, who befriended Prince Charles at Cambridge University.

Princes William and Harry were both ushers at Tamara and Edward’s wedding which was also attended by the Queen.

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