07 June 2024 , 11:53
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Prince George has missed out on his billionaire godfather's wedding despite his dad Prince William attending the nuptials.
The Duke of Westminster, the youngest of 10-year-old George's godparents, is marrying his fiancee Olivia Henson in a grand ceremony at Chester Cathedral today. Among the guests is William, who has been handed the role of being an usher - although Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have agreed to skip the big day.
The Duke, whose real name is Hugh Grosvenor, is extremely close to both William and Harry - so much so that the Prince and Princess of Wales asked Hugh to be godfather to the future King, George.
The bride beams as she stands alongside her father (AFP via Getty Images)He is one of seven godparents, alongside Oliver Baker, a friend of the couple's from St. Andrews, Zara Tindall, Julia Samuel, a close friend of Princess Diana, Kate's pal Emilia Jardine-Paterson, the couple's former private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, and William's longterm friend William van Cutsem.
There had been speculation that George would be in attendance at today's wedding given his position as Hugh's godson. He certainly has the experience; both George and Princess Charlotte are pros at being part of a wedding party, having served as a page boy or bridesmaid at several weddings, including Harry and Meghan's nuptials and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's ceremony, both in 2018.
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However, given the wedding ceremony is being held on a weekday, today is a schoolday for the prince, who will be in lessons at Lambrook School, the school he attends alongside sister Charlotte and younger brother Prince Louis.
Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor waving at crowds (PA)Despite his immense wealth and privilege, Hugh is reportedly a low-key figure, frequently praised for his humble outlook. He is also private - something that William and Kate no doubt value when it comes to his bond with their eldest son. "Hugh is a stable pair of hands," one relative told the Telegraph. "He's not some Hooray Henry who likes getting hooned and going to 5 Hertford Street. He even has a slight Midlands lilt.
"His mum, Tally [Natalia, a descendant of George II and the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin], was keen on the children having a more normal upbringing, so almost consciously didn't want them to go to all those Eton, Harrow sort of places and risk turning into that arrogant, entitled type of person."
Prince William arrives at Chester Cathedral today (Getty Images)Hugh finds himself in the unusual position of being close to both warring brothers, William and Harry both are believed to have been invited to the wedding, but only one is attending - William, with Harry diplomatically declining his invitation.
As a pal of both, Hugh understandably wanted to have both his friends at the wedding but agreed with Harry he would skip the event. A source previously told the Sunday Times: "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.
"He wishes they could put their heads together and patch things up, but realises it's unlikely to happen before the wedding. He wanted to avoid anything overshadowing the day, especially for Olivia, and doesn't want any awkwardness." After Hugh and Harry came to the "civilised understanding" it seemingly paved the way for William's attendance - and for him to take up his role as an usher at the ceremony.