PRINCE William is set to have a starring role in the upcoming lavish wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, who is Prince George’s godfather.

Groom Hugh, 33, may have impressive royal connections, but his fortune actually eclipses that of Prince William and Kate Middleton – and he even lives in a 11,000-acre estate.

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is one of the richest men in the UK and is getting married next month
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Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is one of the richest men in the UK and is getting married next monthCredit: Getty

Hugh is friends with Prince William, and is even godfather to his son Prince George
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Hugh is friends with Prince William, and is even godfather to his son Prince GeorgeCredit: AFP

The Duke of Westminster is tying the knot on June 7 with Olivia Henson
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The Duke of Westminster is tying the knot on June 7 with Olivia HensonCredit: PA

The soon-to-be newlyweds are set to live at Hugh's extravagant family estate, Eaton Hall in Cheshire
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The soon-to-be newlyweds are set to live at Hugh’s extravagant family estate, Eaton Hall in CheshireCredit: Getty
Hugh – known as “Hughie” to his pals – is said to be close with Princes William and Harry, and has grown up in aristocratic circles.

The businessman is so close to the royals that he was named a godfather to William’s son and second in line to the throne Prince George.

Hugh boasts an eye-watering fortune of £10.1billion, which is ten times more than William’s predicted £1.05billion wealth after inheriting his father’s Duchy of Cornwall estate as he became King.

Here, we take a look at the extravagant life of the billionaire and how he became one of the richest men in the UK…

Family fortune

The Duke topped The Sunday Times Rich List for the under 40s when it was released on 17 May, with an estimated wealth of £10.127billion.

He became a billionaire at the young age of 25, after his father Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died in 2016 of heart attack aged 64.

The late Queen wrote to the family privately after Gerald died at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Property tycoon

Hugh is the head of a property empire that has swept up more than 1,500 buildings around the world.

His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns about 300 acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool’s ONE shopping centre.

Because of this Hugh is often described as owning “half of London”.

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A-lister wedding

Hugh is tying the knot on June 7 to Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral and it’s set to be a star-studded affair.

The Prince of Wales, 41, is among the groom’s party and will be an usher during the ceremony, for which there will be 400 in attendance.

 

 

Kate, the Princess of Wales, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend.

King Charles – who is also undergoing chemo – is not expected to be there either, despite being Hugh’s godfather.

Hugh and Olivia will be tying the knot at Chester Cathedral next Friday
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Hugh and Olivia will be tying the knot at Chester Cathedral next FridayCredit: Getty

Prince William, pictured with a young Hugh, is set to be an usher at the wedding
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Prince William, pictured with a young Hugh, is set to be an usher at the weddingCredit: Getty

Kate is not expected to attend due to recovering from her cancer treatment
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Kate is not expected to attend due to recovering from her cancer treatmentCredit: AFP
It is understood that to avoid any tension, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, will not be attending, reports the Sunday Times.

A friend of princes previously told the Sunday Times: “It’s incredibly sad it has come to this.

“Hugh is one of the very few close friends of William and Harry’s who has maintained strong bonds and a line of communication with both.”

The extensive properties of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster

THE Grosvenor family originally made their fortune from mining before turning their eye to the property world.

Hugh inherited an impressive property portfolio when his father passed away in 2016.

The Duke owns the entirety of London’s Park Lane and half of Mayfair.

As well as this, the properties Hugh owns include:

Eaton Estate – the 11,500-acre Grosvenor family home in Cheshire.
Abbeystead – the 23,500-acre shooting estate in Lancashire.
Finca La Garganta estate – the 37,000-acre plot in rural Cordoba near Seville, Spain.
Reay Forest in Sutherland, Scotland.

Following the wedding service, guests will enjoy a reception at nearby Eaton Hall on the Grosvenors’ 11,000-acre estate – and there is said to be a strict “no gift” policy.

A second smaller reception will be held there for close family and friends.

Hugh, who often maintains a low profile, said he is “incredibly excited” about the wedding, but admitted it will be “nerve-racking”.

150-bedroom home

His portfolio includes the family seat, the 11,500-acre Eaton Estate, which will soon become his full-time residence following his wedding.

The Eaton estate has been the home of the Grosvenor family since the 1440s and boasts over 150 bedrooms, large stables, and a chapel with a 183ft tower with 28 bells.

The lobby even features an impressive shell grotto, which is sure to catch the eye of visitors.

Eaton Hall has large stables and a chapel with a 183ft tower with 28 bells
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Eaton Hall has large stables and a chapel with a 183ft tower with 28 bellsCredit: Getty
Bride-to-be Olivia told Town & Country: “It’s obviously a place where we will live, where we’ll be building our lives together.

“And we’re slowly transitioning to move up from London and be much more permanent here and really putting roots down.”

In addition, Hugh owns Reay Forest in Sutherland, Scotland, home to a raft of beautiful mountains and thousands of wild deer, and the 23,500-acre Abbeystead shooting estate in Lancashire.

The family also owns a townhouse on Park Lane in London.

If he needs a holiday, he can retreat to his 37,000-acre plot, the Finca La Garganta estate, in rural Cordoba near Seville, Spain.

William and Harry have been known to be occasional visitors, passing the time by hunting for wild boar and deer.

£5m birthday bash

Hugh had a 21st birthday in 2012 and went all out with the celebrations
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Hugh had a 21st birthday in 2012 and went all out with the celebrations
For his 21st birthday in 2012, Hugh’s father splashed a whopping £5million on a lavish bash with high-profile guests including Prince Harry.

The do was held in the gardens of Eaton Hall, and saw performances from the likes of comedian Michael McIntyre and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.

His 800 guests had access to free-flowing champagne and were treated to a light show at the stroke of midnight.

Hugh's dad is said to have splashed a whopping £5million for his 21st
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Hugh’s dad is said to have splashed a whopping £5million for his 21st

Hugh has previously been hailed as Britain's most eligible bachelor
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Hugh has previously been hailed as Britain’s most eligible bachelorCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Comedian Michael McIntyre was hired for the occasion to entertain VIP guests including Prince Harry
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Comedian Michael McIntyre was hired for the occasion to entertain VIP guests including Prince HarryCredit: PA
Clearly impressed with the shindig, the duke said at the time: “The party was simply amazing – a birthday and a party I will never forget.

“It is the beginning of a new era in my life and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Several pictures taken around that era show Hugh partying with a string of girls and goofing around with pals.

Supportive fiance

Hugh announced his engagement with Olivia Henson in April 2023
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Hugh announced his engagement with Olivia Henson in April 2023Credit: SWNS
With royal connections and billions in the bank, the Duke was once described as “Britain’s most eligible bachelor’ – that was until his future Duchess swept him off his feet.

The happy couple met through friends in 2021, after two years of dating, the Duke proposed to Olivia at Eaton Hall, which is his sprawling family estate in Cheshire.

Olivia works for London-based food firm Belazu and is said to speak Italian and Spanish.

She will become the new Duchess of Westminster, once they are wed.

During her childhood, she attended the same school as the Princess of Wales, Marlborough College.

Philanthropic nature

Hugh inherited around £10.127billion from his father when he passed away at the age of 64
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Hugh inherited around £10.127billion from his father when he passed away at the age of 64Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Over his life, Hugh is said to have refrained from flaunting his cash, opting instead to show his philanthropic side.

In April 2020, Hugh donated millions of pounds to support the Government’s response to the pandemic.

His parents reportedly wanted a “normal” childhood for their children, due to the late Duke hating his time at posh boarding school Harrow.

They decided to send Hugh to small private primary school Mostyn House in Cheshire near the family’s home.

He went on to attend private day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire, before getting a 2.1 in Agriculture at Newcastle University.

A friend previously said of him: “You’d never have known that his dad was a billionaire.

“He never flashed the cash although he would often put his hand in his pocket to buy a round of drinks.

“He’s a really down-to-earth bloke who never acted like a toff and is just a really good guy.”

Close family

Newborn Hugh in 1991 with his parents the Duke and Duchess of Westminster
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Newborn Hugh in 1991 with his parents the Duke and Duchess of WestminsterCredit: Rex

Hugh Grosvenor with his mother, sister Lady Edwina and her husband Dan Snow, sister Lady Tamara van Cutsem and sister Lady Viola Grosvenor
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Hugh Grosvenor with his mother, sister Lady Edwina and her husband Dan Snow, sister Lady Tamara van Cutsem and sister Lady Viola GrosvenorCredit: Mark Stewart Photography Ltd
The Duke has three sisters; Lady Tamara van Cutsem, Lady Edwina Snow and Lady Viola Roberts.

Hugh’s older sister Lady Tamara is married to Edward van Cutsem, a friend of Prince William and godson of King Charles.

 

His other older sister, Lady Edwina, is wed to TV presenter Dan Snow, while the youngest in the family, Lady Viola, is married to Dragoons Guard officer Angus Roberts.

Ancient laws meant that, although Hugh is the third child of his parents Gerald and Natalia Grosvenor, he inherited most of his family’s fortune over his older sisters as he is the only son.