The countdown has begun for the Duke of Westminster’s wedding to Olivia Henson, scheduled for June 7 at Chester Cathedral.
Despite over a year of planning, Hugh Grosvenor and his fiancée, who announced their engagement in April 2023, have shared few details about their big day.
This is why fans eagerly listened to every word from Britain’s wealthiest person under 40 when he visited the wedding venue in May and described the upcoming nuptials as “nerve-wracking” and “huge.”
“I think next time we’re in here will be slightly more nerve-wracking. But I’m unbelievably excited,” he told Town & Country. “I just wanted to make it very clear how unbelievably helpful people have been, how supportive they’ve been so far which I’m unbelievably grateful for.
“Because I do realise that it’s going to be a big thing for the city. It’s going to be certainly a huge thing for us, so we’re just really grateful for all the help.”
Sentimental Location
A spokesperson for the couple previously said: “The couple have chosen the cathedral for both its beauty and long association with the Grosvenor family, including to the Duke personally.
“Cheshire is the Grosvenor family’s ancestral home and as Miss Henson’s connection to the region continues to grow, they are keen to plan their wedding there.”
After their wedding ceremony, they plan to celebrate with friends and family at Hugh’s country estate, Eaton Hall. The estate, spanning 4,400 hectares and featuring a deer park, woodlands, and formal gardens, is also where the couple got engaged. In their engagement photo, they appeared relaxed and happy against a backdrop of pink flowers, though Olivia’s ring was not visible.
Guest List
Although Hugh’s close friend Prince William will serve as an usher, several royals are expected to be absent from the 400-guest list. Princess Kate is likely to stay home as she continues her preventative chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are also unlikely to attend, despite Prince George being Hugh’s godson.
A Right Royal Podcast, royal editor Emily Nash shared her thoughts on the likelihood of ten-year-old George attending. “I think there was some expectation by royal fans that George might appear, he might take part as a page boy. And perhaps he might have but this is all happening on a Friday, it’s a school day,” Emily explained.
“Aside from everything else that’s going on for William and Kate and their family at the moment, it’s something they’ve probably considered at length, because if you take your child out of school for a wedding does that set a precedent? It is a really tricky one.”
