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Duke of Westminster & bride kiss while usher William leads guests from cathedral

07 June 2024 , 09:40
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Details of bride
Details of bride's custom-made dress outlined below

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 Cathedral eiqrridtziqxzprw
The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson shared a kiss outside Chester CathedralCredit: Getty
Olivia beamed at crowds when she arrived at the chapel
Olivia beamed at crowds when she arrived at the chapelCredit: Getty
She wore a gorgeous custom-made dress and veil
She wore a gorgeous custom-made dress and veilCredit: Getty
Prince William this morning led guests into the society wedding of the year
Prince William this morning led guests into the society wedding of the yearCredit: i-Images
Crowds held Union Jacks as they waited to see the happy couple
Crowds held Union Jacks as they waited to see the happy coupleCredit: Getty

Prince 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.

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A 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.

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Her 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 chapel
The newly married couple beamed as they left the chapelCredit: Zenpix
They waved to well-wishers who had gathered to see them
They waved to well-wishers who had gathered to see themCredit: Goff
Wills was an usher at the wedding
Wills was an usher at the weddingCredit: Goff
Hugh Grosvenor had a smile ear-to-ear as he arrived for his big day
Hugh Grosvenor had a smile ear-to-ear as he arrived for his big dayCredit: Goff

Prince 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 arrived
The bride-to-be looked stunning when she arrivedCredit: PA
Guests had smiles from ear-to-ear as they waved to well-wishers
Guests had smiles from ear-to-ear as they waved to well-wishersCredit: i-Images
Glam loved ones made their way inside the chapel
Glam loved ones made their way inside the chapelCredit: AFP
Olivia's dress and veil were designed by Emma Victoria Payne
Olivia's dress and veil were designed by Emma Victoria PayneCredit: AFP

William 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 chapel
Princess Eugenie beamed as she arrived at the chapelCredit: Max Mumby
The groom arrived in a green Land Rover similar to the late Prince Philip's
The groom arrived in a green Land Rover similar to the late Prince Philip'sCredit: Zenpix
The Duke will today marry Olivia
The Duke will today marry OliviaCredit: PA
Patriotic Brits lined the street to try to get a peek at the pair
Patriotic Brits lined the street to try to get a peek at the pairCredit: PA
Guests snapped pics of the crowds
Guests snapped pics of the crowdsCredit: PA

The 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 arrived
Crowds waved as Hugh arrivedCredit: AFP
Hugh was once known as the UK's richest bachelor
Hugh was once known as the UK's richest bachelorCredit: PA
The occasion has been dubbed the society wedding of the year
The occasion has been dubbed the society wedding of the yearCredit: i-Images
Around 400 guests are expected to attend the private wedding
Around 400 guests are expected to attend the private weddingCredit: Getty
Wills is an usher at the star-studded event
Wills is an usher at the star-studded eventCredit: Getty

In 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 week
Preparations have been underway at Chester Cathedral all weekCredit: Getty
Dozens of well-wishers have already started lining the streets
Dozens of well-wishers have already started lining the streetsCredit: AFP
Then-Prime Minister Theresa May pictured with Hugh and Wills in 2018
Then-Prime Minister Theresa May pictured with Hugh and Wills in 2018Credit: PA
Parts of the wedding are said to be inspired by Kate and Wills' big day in 2011
Parts of the wedding are said to be inspired by Kate and Wills' big day in 2011Credit: James Whatling
Preparations have been underway for the society wedding of the year all week
Preparations have been underway for the society wedding of the year all weekCredit: Splash

Jane Matthews

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