Duke of Westminster wedding: Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson tie the knot with Prince William among party.

The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson have married at Chester Cathedral in what was widely billed as the society wedding of the year.

Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor, 33, arrived in a Land Rover with his best men shortly before 11.30am, before waving to crowds of well-wishers gathered outside.

Ms Henson, 31, was driven to the cathedral in a vintage Bentley, just before the service began at midday.

Roughly an hour later the couple left hand-in-hand before stopping to kiss before photographers, while having to contend with some strong winds.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Chester to catch a glimpse of the wedding party, which included the duke’s close friend Prince William who acted as an usher.

What appeared to be an orange fire extinguisher was let off by one member of the public as the wedding party, including the Prince, left the cathedral. A woman was removed from the crowd by police.

One of the women was heard to say “Just Stop Oil” as the device was released, after the couple kissed for the crowds.

Just Stop Oil said two of its supporters had used fire extinguishers to project powder paint near the entrance to Chester Cathedral.




In a statement, they quoted protester Polly, 73, a care worker from Norfolk, who said: “Weddings are a time of coming together in celebration to make a commitment to the future. “However, for countless millions around the world there is no future unless we come together to stop oil and gas.”

Barbara Williams, 81, from Cheshire, who was standing next to the protesters in the crowd, said: “I feel a bit shaken after it.

“We were standing next to them all day.”

The bride wore a dress and veil designed by Emma Victoria Payne, which featured an embroidery design which incorporated floral motifs and edgings from Ms Henson’s great-great-grandmother’s veil from around 1880.

The veil blew in the wind, prompting gasps from the crowd, as she entered the cathedral. She also wore the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day, which has been in the family since 1906.

Her bouquet is made of flowers picked from the gardens of the duke’s family home, Eaton Hall.

Prince William, a close friend of the Duke’s, acted as an usher fo the wedding and was pictured arriving at Chester Cathedral earlier on Friday morning.

He made a swift and understated entrance, exiting a black van and heading straight into the venue with his head bowed. His cousin Princess Eugenie was also pictured arriving. Before the ceremony, something of a royal wedding atmosphere was in the air as large crowds of people gathered in nearby streets to watch the wedding party and guests arrive, many waving union flags.

The ceremony began at midday with around 400 guests in attendance.

The mother of the groom, Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, arrived wearing a pink dress and pink fascinator.

She walked into the cathedral with the groom’s three sisters, Lady Tamara Grosvenor, Lady Viola Grosvenor and Lady Edwina Grosvenor, to cheers from the crowds outside. The Duke of Westminster, 33, topped The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List earlier this year with a fortune of £10.1 billion, and is a godson of King Charles.

Speaking ahead of the wedding, a spokesperson for the couple said it was “an incredibly special day” and they were “very much looking forward to the service”.

The couple chose to have “100 per cent British” flowers for the wedding, using seasonal blooms from local artisan growers, along with foliage from the grounds of Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate.

Eaton sits in just shy of 11,000 acres of parkland and formal gardens just outside Chester City Centre, and has been home to the Grosvenor family since the 1400s. Designed by floral studio Flower & Press, the wedding flowers included rambling roses, philadelphus, campanula and orlaya grandiflora, while birch trees lined the inside of the Cathedral.

After the wedding, the flowers will be repurposed, with all possible made into bouquets and delivered to local charities, churches and organisations. The birch trees will be relocated to the Eaton Estate.

Ahead of the service, Miss Henson will travel to the Cathedral with her father, Rupert Henson in a vintage Bentley originally made for Walter Owen Bentley, the founder of the famous motor firm, in 1930.

The wedding was led and officiated by the Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford. The Bishop of Chester, the Right Revd Mark Tanner, preached at the ceremony and Revd Canon Rosie Woodall lead prayers.

The service was sung by the Chester Cathedral Choir, conducted by organist and master of the choristers Philip Rushforth. They were accompanied by a group of musicians from North West England.

After the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Westminster are set to travel back to Eaton Estate, where they will host a private wedding reception for guests. Speaking ahead