Duke of Westminster and new bride Olivia Henson invite 400 guests for lavish bash featuring lemon wedding cake at Eaton Hall – the stately country pile where his family have lived for 600 years
The Duke of Westminster and new wife Olivia Henson have hosted a luxury wedding reception after their society wedding of the year.
Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor, 33, tied the knot with Miss Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral this afternoon. The couple announced their engagement in April last year after being together for two years.
After the ceremony finished around 1pm, around 400 guests including Princess Eugenie and TV producer Phil Redmond, left the venue in coaches to go to a lavish reception with a lemon wedding cake at the Grosvenor family seat, Eaton Hall, just outside Chester.
It is not clear if Prince William, a close friend of the Duke, went to the reception after attending the wedding. The couple have been scrupulous about not giving away details.
A guest told the Mail: ‘We have also been asked not to do any social media posting when we get there.’
Eaton Hall was once a gloomy Victorian pile only to be bulldozed and replaced by a brutally modern concrete construction.
Three decades ago, Hugh’s father oversaw another facelift, giving the property the elan of a French chateau.
The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson kiss after getting married at Chester Cathedral
Eaton Hall in Cheshire, the seat of the Duke of Westminster. Around 400 guests have attended a wedding reception at the luxury home
The Duke of Westminster and his bride Olivia leaving Chester Cathedral after their wedding today
Eaton Hall, home of the Duke of Westminster near Eccleston in Cheshire where a wedding reception is taking place
Prince William, who was an usher at the ceremony, and William van Cutsem after the wedding of Olivia and his old friend Hugh
Prince William departs the wedding of the Duke of Westminster and Olivia among other guests
Hugh and Olivia smile and wave at the crowd after their wedding at Chester Cathedral today
A bridesmaid and the mother of the bride struggle to keep Olivia’s veil down in the wind
Hugh and Olivia smile and wave at the crowds after their wedding at Chester Cathedral
Prince William after leaving the wedding of Olivia and his old friend Hugh
The Prince of Wales leaves Chester Cathedral after the wedding of Olivia and his old friend Hugh
The groom’s sisters Lady Viola Grosvenor and Lady Edwina Grosvenor (left) attend the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson
The Duke of Westminster and his wife Olivia leave their wedding ceremony at Chester Cathedral
Olivia and her husband the Duke of Westminster leave their wedding ceremony at Chester Cathedral
Olivia Henson has arrived for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral
Olivia Henson arrives for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral
Olivia Henson in her wedding dress outside the Cathedral for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor
Olivia looked stunning as she arrived for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster today
Olivia walking through the stunning flower arch displayed on the entrance to the Cathedral
Olivia is getting wed to the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral today
The bridesmaids arrive for the Wedding of The Duke of Westminster to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral
Olivia holds flowers as she enters Chester Cathedral for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster
The veil blew strongly in the wind, prompting gasps from the crowd, as she entered the cathedral
The bride smiled in her wedding dress before walking into the Cathedral to marry the Duke of Westminster
This was the moment the Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson sealed the society wedding of the year with a kiss in front of guests
Edward Van Cutsem is pictured leaving Chester Cathedral with Lady Tamara Grosvenor, whom he married in 2004
Prince William breaks into laughter as he stands alongside Rosie van Cutsem while chatting to guests
The groom, Hugh Grosvenor (left), arriving at Chester Cathedral for his wedding to Olivia Henson
Prince William arriving at the Duke of Westminster’s society wedding to Olivia
Princess Eugenie of York attends the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson
Princess Eugenie (pictured) arriving at the cathedral for the wedding of Hugh and Olivia
Princess Eugenie walking to the cathedral in Cheshire today before the ceremony
Olivia Henson arrives at her wedding to the The Duke of Westminster
The bride stands in her wedding dress before entering the Cathedral in Cheshire
Olivia Henson arrives at her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster
Olivia looks elated as she arrives at her wedding to the Duke of Westminster in Cheshire
Olivia stops and smiles at the crowds before heading inside the Cathedral to marry the Duke of Westminster
The bespoke embroidery design on her gown and veil was hand drawn by Emma Victoria Payne
Olivia Henson arrives vin a vintage Bentley for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster
Olivia just before arriving at Chester Cathedral for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster
Olivia’s bouquet was made of flowers picked from the gardens of the duke’s family home, Eaton Hall
The bride wore blue shoes with her wedding dress to marry the Duke of Westminster
Olivia Henson arrives for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral
Olivia opted to make her shoes the ‘something blue’ at her wedding, which she paired with pink and purple flowers
Olivia Henson arrives in a vintage Bentley for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor
The Duke of Westminster waves at the crowds after tying the knot with Olivia Henson at a lavish ceremony in Chester
Prince William was an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding but Prince Harry stayed at home in California
The Duke 33, wed Olivia Henson, 31, (pictured) in Cheshire today. This was the official photo for the wedding announcement on April 23
The house has also been surrounded by formal gardens since the 17th century, the design of which has changed over the centuries in accordance with contemporary ideas and fashions.
The day started shortly before 11am when coachloads and minibuses of excited guests began arriving and filing into the side door of the Cathedral.
As they rounded the corner, many smiled and waved back to the crowds lining the streets, who were cheering their arrival.
Prince William, dressed like others in morning suit, smiled as he exited a black minibus to head towards the building.
Guests joined the long queue snaking into the Cathedral, waiting to be shown to their seats by Prince William and the other ushers.
Harry, who would have been expected to attend today’s service, has chosen instead to stay in California.
Miss Henson arrived at the Cathedral just before noon in a vintage 1930 8-litre Bentley owned by the Grosvenor estate.
The bride’s veil, designed by Emma Victoria Payne and featuring an embroidery design which incorporated floral motifs from Ms Henson’s great-great-grandmother’s veil from around 1880, blew in the wind as she arrived at the cathedral at midday to cheers from the public.
Her dress was made by the same designer and she accessorised with blue shoes and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day, which has been in the family since 1906.
At around 12.30pm, two silver-haired Just Stop Oil fanatics threatened to ruin the joyous occasion by using fire extinguishers to spray powder paint in the direction of the wedding party, which included the Prince of Wales, as they left Chester Cathedral.
The protesters were quickly removed from the crowd by police as onlookers booed. They were named by JSO as Polly, 73, a care worker from Norfolk, and Sheila, 69, a former NHS nurse from Bristol.
Barbara Williams, 81, from Cheshire, who was standing next to the protesters in the crowd, said: ‘I feel a bit shaken after it.
‘We were standing next to them all day.’
Her friend Andrea Machin, 56, added: ‘They were already here when we arrived at 7am, they had shopping trolleys with them.
‘Everyone was watching the bride and groom and then we just saw orange and they had what looked like a fire extinguisher with them.
‘The police realised quite quickly what was happening and pulled them out. One of them said it was for her grandchildren. It happened just as William was coming out of the door.’
Rhona Dalziel, 57, said: ‘One of them had been reading a Richard Osman book. It’s bizarre.’
As Prince William left the cathedral and made his way into a large black Mercedes with the rest of the wedding party, a member of the cheering crowd shouted ‘best wishes to Kate’. William thanked the man by raising his hand and waving.
Hugh smiles and waves as he arrives at the cathedral in Cheshire to wed Olivia
Grosvenor (pictured in the passenger seat) and his groomsmen arrived at Chester Cathedral in a Land Rover this afternoon
The Duke of Westminster’s sister and Lady Viola Grosvenor and his brother-in-law Angus Roberts
Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster and mother of the groom, waves next to Rupert Henson, father of the bride, as Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson leave Chester Cathedral
Moments after the ceremony finished, two women let off a fire extinguisher containing the orange powder paint in the direction of the wedding party, which included the Prince of Wales
Two Just Stop Oil protesters are led away by police after trying to disrupt the Duke of Westminster’s Wedding
Prince William waves at the crowds after performing as an usher at his friend the Duke of Westminster’s wedding
Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Dan Snow attend the society wedding of the year
Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster, smiles as he and Olivia Henson are chauffeured in the Bentley Motors 1930 8-Litre following their wedding at Chester Cathedral
The 7th Duke (pictured leaving the ceremony), universally known as ‘Hughie’ to aristocratic friends, is estimated to be worth £10.42billion, making him the richest man under 40 in Britain
Charles van Straubenzee and his wife Daisy Jenks arrive at Chester Cathedral ahead of the wedding
Thomas Van Straubenzee and wife arrive for the ceremony today
The grooms mother, Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster (left), arriving at the ceremony
Charlie Gilkes and his wife Anneke arriving at the cathedral for the society wedding of the year today
Guests arriving at Chester Cathedral in Cheshire for the wedding
Guests arrive for the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral
More guests arriving at the society wedding of the year between Hugh and Olivia
Crowds gather outside Chester Cathedral for the Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson’s wedding today
Gusts leave Chester Cathedral after the society wedding of the year in Cheshire this afternoon
(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
The Duke will pay for free ice cream, gelato and sorbet for Cheshire locals from three local independent cafes so they can join in the celebration.
Photos from this morning show excited royal fans forming a crowd outside the cathedral ahead of the Church of England ceremony starting at midday.
The fans started gathering at 6am this morning, hours before the ceremony was due to start.
Maths tutor Catherina Rhodes, 59, of Chester, said: ‘It’s an exciting day. I have always loved the royal family especially the Queen.
‘I was taken down to Buckingham Palace when I was aged six.
‘My uncle worked at the stables and helped teach the Queen to ride. Since then I was entranced by the royal family.’
She added: ‘It’s great for the city.’
Pharmaceutical trainer Helen Jackson, 55, said: ‘I went for a drink in the Grosvenor hotel last night and saw Princess Eugenie having a drink.
‘So I know she’s going to be here today.
‘It’s fabulous for […] Chester.
‘I came to see the royals when the Queen and Megan Markle came here just before.’
Pensioner Ann Beck arrived at 8am. She said: ‘I wanted to come to support the family as they are from Chester and of course the royals.’
A staggering 100,000 flowers have been planted throughout the city – all paid for by the Duke – which will be donated to charity following the ceremony.
Prince William (right) and Hugh Grosvenor (left) attending the 2004 wedding of Edward van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral
Hugh is godfather to Prince Williams’s son Prince George and Prince Harry’s son Archie. Harry will not attend the wedding
A woman dresses up in wedding attire and a Union Jack scarf outside the cathedral
Crowds gather outside Chester Cathedral for the wedding today
A general view of police and well-wishers as they line the street near the cathedral
Police outside Chester Cathedral before the wedding this afternoon
Well-wishers line the street ahead of the wedding today
Police officers outside the cathedral in Cheshire today ahead of the ceremony
Crowds gather outside Chester Cathedral for the society wedding starting at midday
A general view of Chester Cathedral ahead of the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson
Police vans in Chester Cathedral, where the wedding ceremony will take place
The Duke will pay for free ice cream for locals from three local businesses. Pictured left to right: Craig Fermor from Diddy Donuts, Valentina Aviotti from Krum Gelato and Stephen Young from Cheshire Farm Ice Cream
Scores of boxes of flowers were delivered to the cathedral by a fleet of vans
A large security cordon will be erected around the cathedral due to the presence of so many high profile guests. Pictured: Sniffer dogs in Chester
A workman carries a bundle of chairs through the garden at Chester Cathedral
Temporary scaffolding was also erected near the cathedral as workers trim plants
This week a floral arch was constructed around the huge West Door of the 1,000-year-old Cathedral in the heart of the city.
On a road into the city near the entrance to the Grosvenor Hospital, staff dressed a pair of mannequins in suit and wedding dress with photos of Hugh and Olivia’s faces attached.
Given the presence of the heir to the throne at the event, security precautions have also been in evidence, with detectives seen chatting with local Cheshire Police officers outside the Cathedral this week.
Police sniffer dogs were seen checking drains around the precincts of the building for any traces of explosives.
Eaton Hall, a mock French chateau set in 10,872 acres of Cheshire (50 acres of which is elaborate formal gardens) is where the couple intend to live after they are married, and is the perfect place for a party.
Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, based in the heart of Chester Market, will be offering a range of Cheshire Farm single-scoop ice-creams or slices of a new lemon-sponge flavoured arctic roll.
The lemon-flavoured arctic roll has been specially created in acknowledgement of The Duke and Olivia’s lemon-flavoured wedding cake that guests will be served at the wedding reception.
Ed Warrington, owner of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream outlets, said: ‘As a local business we’re delighted to be part of The Duke and Olivia’s initiative to provide free ice cream to the public in celebration of their wedding.
‘All at Cheshire Farm Ice Cream wish them the very best for their wedding day.’
The couple have been scrupulous about not giving away details of the reception and ‘we have also been asked not to do any social media posting when we get there’, said a guest.
It is likely to be a green event as both Hugh and Olivia are eco minded, and it is understood that flowers used at the ceremony and reception will be pressed and made into sustainable artworks afterwards, rather than simply being thrown away.
Olivia, who went to Marlborough College, like the Princess of Wales and Princess Eugenie, is senior account manager at Belazu, an environmentally friendly company which imports chef-quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients.
Hugh has increasingly started to initiate various eco-friendly practices, including renewable energy projects, green building codes and biodiversity conservation efforts.
