PRINCE William will play a starring role in the lavish wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, who is Prince George’s best man.
Groom Hugh, 33, may have impressive royal connections, but his fortune actually eclipses that of Prince William and Kate Middleton – and he still lives on an 11,000-acre estate.
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Hugh – known as “Hughie” to his friends – is said to be close to Princes William and Harry and grew up in aristocratic circles.
The businessman is so close to royalty that he was named godfather to William’s son and second in line to the throne, Prince George.
Hugh has a staggering fortune of £10.1 billion, which is ten times more than William’s predicted £1.05 billion wealth after inheriting the Duchy of Cornwall estate from his father when he became king.
Here, we take a look at the billionaire’s extravagant life and how he became one of the richest men in the UK…
Family fortune
The duke topped the Sunday Times Rich List for under-40s when it was released on May 17, with an estimated wealth of £10.127 billion.
He became a billionaire at age 25 after his father, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, died in 2016 of a heart attack at age 64.
The late Queen wrote to the family privately after Gerald died at Royal Preston Hospital.
Property mogul
Hugh is the head of a real estate empire that has swept more than 1,500 buildings around the world.
His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns around 300 acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as large city center developments such as Liverpool’s ONE shopping centre.
Because of this, Hugh is often described as owning “half of London”.
Top notch wedding
Hugh is getting married on June 7 to Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral and it will be a star-studded event.
The Prince of Wales41 years old, is in the groom’s entourage and will be a concierge during the ceremony, which will be attended by 400 people.
Kate, Princess of Wales, who is undergoing cancer treatment, is not expected to attend.
King Charles – who is also undergoing chemotherapy – is also unlikely to be present, despite being Hugh’s godfather.
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It is understood that to avoid any tension, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, will not attend, reports the Sunday Times.
A friend of the princes previously told the Sunday Times: “It’s incredibly sad that it has come to this.
“Hugh is one of the few close friends of William and Harry who has maintained strong ties and a line of communication with both of them.”
The extensive estates of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster
The Grosvenor family originally made their fortune in mining before turning to the world of real estate.
Hugh inherited an impressive property portfolio when his father passed away in 2016.
The Duke owns Park Lane in London and half of Mayfair.
Additionally, properties that Hugh owns include:
- Eaton Estate – the Grosvenor family home of 11,500 acres in Cheshire.
- Abbeystead – the 23,500 acre shooting estate in Lancashire.
- Finca La Garganta Estate – 37,000 acre plot of land in rural Córdoba, near Seville, Spain.
- Reay Forest in Sutherland, Scotland.
After the wedding ceremony, 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 gifts” policy.
A second, smaller reception will be held there for family and close friends.
Hugh, who often keeps a low profile, said he is “incredibly excited” about the wedding but admitted it will be “disheartening”.
House with 150 rooms
His portfolio includes the family home, 11,500-acre Eaton Estate, which will soon become his full-time residence after his marriage.
The Eaton estate has been home to the Grosvenor family since the 1440s and has more than 150 rooms, large stables and a chapel with a 55-metre tower with 28 bells.
The lobby itself characteristics an impressive shell cave, which will certainly catch the attention of visitors.
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Bride-to-be Olivia told City and countryside: “It’s obviously a place where we will live, where we will build our lives together.
“And we’re slowly transitioning out of London and being much more permanent here and really putting down roots.”
Additionally Hugh owns Reay Forest in Sutherland Scotlandhome to a range of beautiful mountains and thousands of wild deer, and the 23,500-acre Abbeystead hunting estate in Lancashire.
The family also owns a house in Park Lane, London.
If you need a vacation, you can retreat to their 37,000-acre estate, Finca La Garganta, in rural Córdoba, near Seville, Spain.
William and Harry are known to be occasional visitors, spending their time hunting wild boar and deer.
£5 million birthday party
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For his 21st birthday in 2012, Hugh’s father spent a whopping £5 million on a lavish party with high-profile guests including Prince Harry.
The party was held in the gardens of Eaton Hall and featured performances by comedian Michael McIntyre and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
Its 800 guests had access to unlimited champagne and were treated to a light show in the stroke from midnight.
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Clearly impressed by the party, the Duke said at the time: “The party was simply incredible – a birthday and party I will never forget.
“It’s the beginning of a new era in my life and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Several photos taken around that time show Hugh partying with a group of girls and playing with friends.
Supportive Groom
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With royal connections and billions in the bank, the Duke was once described as “Britain’s most eligible bachelor” – that was until his reign. future The Duchess surprised him.
The happy couple met through friends in 2021, after two years of dating, the Duke proposed to Olivia at Eaton Hall, which is his family’s sprawling estate in Cheshire.
Olivia works for London-based food company Belazu and is said to speak Italian and Spanish.
She will become the new Duchess of Westminster once they get married.
During her childhood, she attended the same school as the Princess of Wales, Marlborough College.
Philanthropic nature
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Throughout his life, Hugh is said to have refrained from showing off his money, choosing 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 because the late Duke hated his time at posh Harrow boarding school.
They decided to send Hugh to a small private primary school, Mostyn House, in Cheshire, close to the family home.
He attended the private school Ellesmere College in Shropshire, before gaining a 2.1 in Agriculture at Newcastle University.
A friend previously said of him: “You would never know his father was a billionaire.
“He never showed the money, although he often reached into his pocket to buy a round of drinks.
“He’s a very down to earth guy who never acted like a guy and he’s a really nice guy.”
Close family
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The Duke has three sisters; Lady Tamara van Cutsem, Lady Edwina Snow and Lady Viola Roberts.
Hugh’s elder 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 married to TV presenter Dan Snow, while the youngest of the family, Lady Viola, is married to Dragon Guards officer Angus Roberts.
Ancient laws meant that although Hugh was the third son of his parents Gerald and Natalia Grosvenor, he inherited most of his family’s fortune from his older sisters as he is the only child.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
