William to take on big role at 'wedding of year' while Charles 'might not go'

19 May 2024 , 07:02

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Prince William at Westminster Abbey on March 11 (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince William is set to play a major role at what is hotly tipped to be the society wedding of the year.

William will serve as an usher for the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, next month when he's set to tie the knot with Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral. The prince, who is a close friend of the 33-year-old aristocrat, will be among the groom's party at the 400-person ceremony but his younger brother the Duke of Sussex will not attend, the Sunday Times reports.

The Princess of Wales, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is not expected to attend the June 7 event. The Duke of Westminster is a godson of the King and godfather to William's son, Prince George.

He is also godfather to Harry's five-year-old son Prince Archie, the Sunday Times reported. The couple announced their engagement at Eaton Hall in Cheshire in April last year after being together for two years.

Billionaire aristocrat Hugh is godfather to Prince George (Getty Images)

Reports emerged in December suggesting Harry and his wife Meghan were not on the guest list for their wedding. Meanwhile, while the King and Queen did make the invite list, it's thought they also will not be attending.

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Charles and Camilla are reportedly yet to respond to their invite, and with the wedding just three weeks away, it's thought they will be a no-show. Hugh's sister Lady Grosvenor married Edward van Cutsem at the same venue, to which the then-Prince of Wales Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla were invited, but forced to sit separately.

Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster, will marry Olivia Henson next month (PA Media)

According to MailOnline's royal correspondent Richard Eden, a source said: "Their Majesties have not forgotten what happened at the wedding of Hugh's sister. There is still a lot of tension that exists." The Duke of Westminster topped The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List this week, boasting a fortune of £10.1 billion.

He became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate aged 25 following the death of his father from a heart attack in 2016. 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, and the duke is part of the royal inner circle.

PA