Prince William attends ‘society wedding of the year’: Prince of Wales performs duties as an usher at friend Duke of Westminster’s marriage to Olivia Henson after Harry agreed to stay away
Prince William has arrived at the society wedding of the year, while his brother Prince Harry has agreed to stay away.
The Prince of Wales will officiate the wedding of Olivia Henson and the Duke of Westminster, but his brother will not attend the ceremony and will remain in California to prevent any tensions between the royals from spoiling the day.
The Duke, Hugh Grosvenor and Miss Henson are to be married in Chester Cathedral, amid a sea of British aristocracy and landed gentry.
The 7th Duke, 33, commonly known as ‘Hughie’ to aristocratic friends, is estimated to be worth £10.42 billion, making him the richest man under the age of 40 in Britain.
He is the godfather of William’s son Prince George and Prince Harry’s son Archie and gave William the lead role in the service.
Prince William arrives for his good friend at the Scoiety wedding of the year in Chester
The Duke, Hugh Grosvenor, arrives at his wedding where Prince William will be an usher
Prince William and Hugh Grosvenor at the wedding of Edward van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral in 2004
The 7th Duke, 33, as a young boy with a mischievous grin on his face next to lifelong friend William
The wedding is expected to be attended by 400 guests and has been highly anticipated in social circles for months.
Olivia, 31, looked stunning in her wedding dress and blue shoes as she arrived at the 11th century cathedral just before midday.
The custom embroidery design on her dress and veil was hand-drawn by Emma Victoria Payne, featuring floral motifs and borders from Olivia’s great-great-grandmother’s veil from about 1880.
The bride wears the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day.
It has been owned by the Grosvenor family since its founding in 1906. Olivia’s bouquet is made from flowers picked from the gardens of the Duke’s home, Eaton Hall.
Prince Harry has agreed to stay away from the wedding and is in California
Princes William and Harry have not yet resolved their differences over the Duke of Sussex’s memoir Spare, which made damning allegations about the royal family.
Princess Eugenie is one of several guests to have arrived at the event, while the Princess of Wales – who has been in the spotlight as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy – was not expected to attend.
Shortly before 11am, coaches and minibuses full of excited guests arrived and entered the side door of the cathedral.
As they rounded the corner, many smiled and waved back to the crowds lining the streets, cheering their arrival.
William, dressed like others in morning suits, smiled as he exited a black minivan to drive towards the building.
Guests joined the long line that crept into the cathedral, waiting to be led to their seats by Prince William and the other ushers.
You can read more live updates about the ceremony here in MailOnline’s live blog.
