THE Duke of Westminster and his bride wowed cheering crowds today as they shared their first kiss.
Hugh Grosvenor, 33, tied the knot with fiancee Olivia Henson, 31, in a lavish ceremony at Chester Cathedral.
The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson shared a kiss outside Chester CathedralCredit: GettyOlivia beamed at crowds when she arrived at the chapelCredit: GettyShe wore a gorgeous custom-made dress and veilCredit: GettyPrince William this morning led guests into the society wedding of the yearCredit: i-ImagesCrowds held Union Jacks as they waited to see the happy coupleCredit: GettyPrince William, who was an usher for the wedding, watched on with a smile as the happy couple left the chapel.
The Duke, who was once dubbed the UK's richest bachelor, is King Charles' godson, and the godfather of both Prince George and Archie.
Bride-to-be Olivia wowed crowds in a custom-made lace-edged satin wedding dress by designer Emma Victoria Payne.
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next weekA family statement revealed: "The bespoke embroidery design on the bridal gown and veil was hand drawn and re-imagined by Emma Victoria Payne, incorporating floral motifs and edgings from Olivia’s great great grandmother’s veil from around 1880."
William, one of the first to arrive this morning, led glam guests into the ceremony.
The masses - surrounded by a ring of steel as cops monitored proceedings - gathered from the early hours to sneak a glimpse of the bride and groom as well as other famous arrivals.
After the ceremony, crowds roared as the couple shared their first kiss outside the cathedral.
And the perfect sunny day, with highs of a balmy 17C, couldn't be spoiled by Just Stop Oil protesters, who let off orange-coloured fire extinguishers after the ceremony.
Cops quickly leapt into action to remove the eco-idiots.
Ahead of the star-studded ceremony Hugh beamed and waved at the masses when he arrived in a forest green Land Rover - similar to the late Prince Philip's.
He greeted the Dean of Chester, the Rev Dr Tim Stratford, at the entrance to the cathedral at 11.30am, around half-an-hour before the glamorous bride's arrival.
Dozens of well-wishers cheered as Olivia's dress and veil billowed in the wind when she made her way inside the church.
The dress featured floral motifs and edgings from Olivia's great great grandma's veil, which was worn in around 1880.
Harry and Meghan convinced 'royals were against them' after New Year photo snubHer Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara has been in the Grosvenor family since it was created in 1906.
The newly married couple beamed as they left the chapelCredit: ZenpixThey waved to well-wishers who had gathered to see themCredit: GoffWills was an usher at the weddingCredit: GoffHugh Grosvenor had a smile ear-to-ear as he arrived for his big dayCredit: GoffPrince William was an usher at the wedding and was one of the first to arrive this morning - looking dapper in a pale blue waistcoat with a black jacket and dark grey tailored trousers.
His cousin Princess Eugenie was not far behind in a pleated green midi-dress and matching nude fascinator and heels.
Other guests included Charles van Straubenzee, who had Prince Harry as best man at his own wedding.
Harry was best pals with his brother Henry, who he called Henners, until his tragic death in a car crash in 2002.
Well-wishers lined the streets near the chapel for hours in advance this morning, with dozens of police standing guard.
They waved frantically as the groom arrived.
Many held and wore the Union Jack with pride, while others donned their best ensembles for the occasion.
Wills was an usher at the wedding, while Prince Harry was said to have agreed not to attend to avoid clashes with his brother amid their rift.
The King and Princess Kate were said to have been invited to the big day, too, but it's understood they didn't attend due to their health.
The bride-to-be looked stunning when she arrivedCredit: PAGuests had smiles from ear-to-ear as they waved to well-wishersCredit: i-ImagesGlam loved ones made their way inside the chapelCredit: AFPOlivia's dress and veil were designed by Emma Victoria PayneCredit: AFPWilliam and Harry have always had a close relationship with Hugh, and were both ushers at his sister's wedding in 2004.
And while it's reported Harry would have loved to have been there for Hugh's big day - he snubbed the event after "challenges" came to light.
A source close to the Sussexes told People magazine: "There was an acknowledgement on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.
"It was an understanding between the two friends.
"The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamour had estranged brothers Prince William and Prince Harry both attended the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple."
Princess Eugenie beamed as she arrived at the chapelCredit: Max MumbyThe groom arrived in a green Land Rover similar to the late Prince Philip'sCredit: ZenpixThe Duke will today marry OliviaCredit: PAPatriotic Brits lined the street to try to get a peek at the pairCredit: PAGuests snapped pics of the crowdsCredit: PAThe wedding, which appeared to have taken inspiration from Wills' and Kate's in 2011, was set to be a lavish event.
The private ceremony saw around 400 guests file into the church, before they headed back to Eaton Hall for the reception.
It was announced yesterday that the hundreds of well-wishers who line the streets near the chapel will be given free ice cream.
It's not known how much is being spent on the lavish occasion, but it's expected to be a decent fortune.
For his 21st birthday in 2012, Hugh's father splashed a whopping £5million on a bash.
The Duke became a billionaire at the young age of 25, after his father Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died in 2016 of heart attack aged 64.
Hugh was the youngest son of Gerald and Natalia Phillips – who can trace her own lineage back to Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.
This left him head of a property empire that has swept up more than 1,500 buildings around the world.
The Grosvenor Group owns about 300 acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia - which is why Hugh is often described as owning "half of London".
Crowds waved as Hugh arrivedCredit: AFPHugh was once known as the UK's richest bachelorCredit: PAThe occasion has been dubbed the society wedding of the yearCredit: i-ImagesAround 400 guests are expected to attend the private weddingCredit: GettyWills is an usher at the star-studded eventCredit: GettyIn addition to this, they own major city centre developments such as Liverpool's ONE shopping centre, Tokyo apartments, a “large chunk” of Silicon Valley and Annacis Island, off Vancouver.
He and Olivia met through friends in 2021, after two years of dating, the Duke proposed to her 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.
A spokesperson for him and Olivia this morning said: “The Duke and Miss Henson have taken a great deal of care in planning the wedding, putting their own personal stamp on all the arrangements and have made a conscious effort to involve local and regional suppliers in several aspects of the day.
"This is an incredibly special day for the Duke and Miss Henson and they are very much looking forward to the service.
"The couple have also been moved by the messages of support they have received from around the region and are hugely grateful that people want to share in their happiness."
Preparations have been underway at Chester Cathedral all weekCredit: GettyDozens of well-wishers have already started lining the streetsCredit: AFPThen-Prime Minister Theresa May pictured with Hugh and Wills in 2018Credit: PAParts of the wedding are said to be inspired by Kate and Wills' big day in 2011Credit: James WhatlingPreparations have been underway for the society wedding of the year all weekCredit: Splash