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Prince William is among the guests at the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and Oliva Henson, at Chester Cathedral today.
The pair are tying the knot in front of around 400 people, with the Prince of Wales serving as usher, at the event dubbed as the “society wedding of the year”.
From 11am, guests, including Princess Eugenie, arrived at the church where loud crowds of Union Jack-waving supporters gathered for the occasion.
Shortly after 11.20am, the Duke attended in a Land Rover and was given a loud cheer as he entered the cathedral.
Then, just after noon, Miss Henson arrived wearing a stunning bridal gown in a vintage 1930 8-litre Bentley for the start of the service.
A private wedding reception will be held on the 11,000-acre Eton Estate, just over four miles from the cathedral, where the newly-weds will reside.
However, only one of the royal brothers will be attending the celebrations amid continued tensions between Harry and William.
The King has not attended the nuptials, given his ongoing cancer treatment and his recent appearance at the D-Day commemorations, while Kate remains recuperating at home from chemotherapy.
Why did the couple choose Chester Cathedral
Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson said it meant “a lot” for them to tie the knot in Chester, where the Grosvenor family has “long and close personal connection to both the cathedral and the city“, in a statement issued on Friday morning.
The Grosvenor family estate, Eaton Estate, where the private wedding reception will take place, is just four miles from the city.
And it is at the cathedral where the Duke’s aunt, Lady Leonora Grosvenor married Lord Lichfied in 1985. That was followed by the marriage of the Duke’s sister, Lady Tamara Grosvenor, to Edward van Cutsem in 2004.
In 2016, a memorial service was held for Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, at the cathedral.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 13:03
The arrival at Chester Cathedral of the bridal car
We mentioned earlier that Olivia Henson was arriving in vintage 1930-built Bentley, once owned by the founder of Bentley Motors - well, here’s the picture of her arriving at Chester Cathedral inside it.
The eight-litre vehicle, which can do up to 101mph, was provided by the Heritage Collection of Bentley Motors in Crewe.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 12:45
Who is leading the church ceremony and when will it finish
As the general public and photographers wait outside Chester Cathedral, the marriage ceremony inside will be taking place.
The Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, will lead and officiate service, while the Bishop of Chester, the Right Revd Mark Tanner, will preach, and the Revd Canon Rosie Woodall lead the prayers.
The service will be sung by the Chester Cathedral Choir, conducted by Philip Rushforth, organist and master of the choristers at Chester Cathedral. They will be accompanied by a group of musicians from north west England.
We’re expecting the service to finish at around 1pm.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 12:42
A wave back at the crowd
Olivia Henson turned round to wave at the crowd just before she entered Chester Cathedral to marry Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster.
Her stunning wedding dress incorporated floral motifs and edgings from her great great grandmother’s veil from around 1880.
She also wore a Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara that was made in 1906 for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day.
Olivia’s bouquet was made of flowers picked from the gardens of the duke’s family home, Eaton Hall.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 12:35
Wedding dress designed by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne
Olivia Henson’s ivory silk crepe satin wedding dress and veil was designed by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 12:21
‘Here comes the bride’
Another huge cheer as Olivia Henson arrives in a vintage Bentley for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor. She waves at the crowds before going inside.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 12:04
More waves and pictures of the crowds before the bride arrives
Alex Ross7 June 2024 11:59
C’est quoi l’amour
Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster and mother of Hugh Grosvenor, attends holding a book titled “C’est quoi l’amour”, which translates to “What is love?”
Alex Ross7 June 2024 11:53
Friends of Harry and William arrive
Charlie van Straubenzee, one of Prince Harry’s, best friends arrives with his wife Daisy. Also attending his Charlie’s older brother, Thomas, who is one of William’s closest friends and is Princess Charlotte’s godfather.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 11:47
Just over 20 minutes from the service
We’re not long to go now before the arrival of Olivia Henson, as the groom, Hugh Grosvenor, shakes hands ahead of going inside Chester Cathedral for the service which begins at noon.
Alex Ross7 June 2024 11:39