HE was once considered Britain’s most eligible bachelor, but tomorrow billionaire Hugh Grosvenor will be walking down the aisle.
The Duke of Westminster, 33, is marrying Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral, and it will be the society wedding of the year.
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Included in the guest list is Prince William, who will have a leading role as concierge.
However, absent from the celebrations will be Prince Harry who, despite being a close friend of Hugh – who is Prince Archie’s godfather – “agreed by phone” not to come to “avoid friction” with William.
Hugh’s wedding may have royalty in the audience, but his fortune actually eclipses Wiliam’s £1.05 billion.
The Duke has a staggering fortune of £10.1 billion, and here’s what else we know about the aristocratic businessman…
OWNS ‘HALF OF LONDON’
Hugh became a billionaire at the age of 25 after his father, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, died in 2016 of a heart attack at the age of 64.
Born on January 29, 1991, Hugh was the youngest son of Gerald and Natalia Phillips – whose lineage dates back to Russian poet Alexander
This left him at the head of a real estate empire that has now swept more than 1,500 buildings around the world.
The Grosvenor Group owns around 300 acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia – which is why Hugh is often described as owning “half of London”.
In addition, they own large developments in the city center, such as Liverpool’s ONE shopping center, apartments in Tokyo, a “large part” of Silicon Valley and Annacis Island, near Vancouver.
£5 MILLION BIRTHDAY
For Hugh’s 21st birthday in 2012, his father spared no expense, organizing a £5million celebration at Eaton Hall.
The event featured notable guests including Prince Harry and performances from comedian Michael McIntyre and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
The 800 attendees enjoyed free-flowing champagne and a spectacular midnight light show. Reflecting on the event, Hugh described it as “simply incredible – a birthday and party I will never forget”, marking it as the start of a new chapter in his life.
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OLYMPIC ATHLETE
Not only does he have a property empire, but Hugh is an Olympian and has represented the UK in skeet shooting.
This sport is a variation of clay shooting, where participants hit a moving ball target.
150 CAMOS PROPERTY
Although he currently resides in London, after his wedding he hopes to settle down with his new bride at his family’s 11,500-acre Eaton Hall.
The Cheshire-based manor 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.
Bride-to-be Olivia said 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.”
The other in the family houses include Reay Forest in Sutherland, ScotlandHome to a range of beautiful mountains and thousands of wild deer, the 23,500-acre Abbeystead hunting estate in Lancashire, a Park Lane home in London.
The family also owns a house on Park Lane in London and the Finca La Garganta estate in rural Córdoba near Seville. Spain.
KATE MIDDLETON – MUSIC GROOM
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With beautiful brunette hair and a passion for charityit’s no surprise that bride-to-be Olivia has been compared to the Princess of Wales.
She even attended the same school as Prince William’s wife, Marlborough College.
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.
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.
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
Hugh is not only godfather to Prince Archie, but also to Prince George – due to his friendship with Prince Harry and Prince William.
The billionaire businessman is said to be one of the few people who remains close to the two brothers amid their rivalry.
In the past, the pair hooked up with Hugh and they hunted wild boars and deer.
Hugh’s father was the late Queen’s 14th cousin once removed and mentored William at Her Majesty’s request, according to reports.
King Charles – who is undergoing chemotherapy following his recent cancer diagnosis – is Hugh’s best man, although he is not expected to attend the wedding.
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LUXURY TRIPS
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.
It’s no surprise that we’ve seen Hugh enjoy luxurious vacations in the past.
In 2017, Hugh was photographed on a boat in Portofino with his friends and his mother, Lady Natalia.
However, the Duke of Westminster is also philanthropic and in April 2020 donated £12.5 million to support the Government’s response to the pandemic.
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Their parents reportedly wanted a ‘normal’ childhood for their children, due to the late Duke hating his time at posh boarding school Harrow.
They decided to send Hugh to a small private primary school, Mostyn House, in Cheshire, close to the family home.
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.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
