Prince Harry’s absence from the Duke of Westminster’s wedding shows the depth of the “terrible rift” with William and is the “price to pay for his self-imposed exile” with Meghan in the United States, a royal expert said today.
The Duke of Sussex and his estranged brother are long-time friends of Hugh Grosvenor, one of Britain’s richest men, who will marry Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral tomorrow in the society wedding of the year.
The Prince of Wales, 41, will be the usher at the event, which will also be attended by dozens of mutual friends, some of whom are no longer on speaking terms with Harry, 39.
Previous reports suggested the Duke of Westminster had “excluded” the Sussexes to avoid a clash with the eldest. royals, but sources close to Harry have now claimed he decided to step down after realizing “the challenges of his attendance.”
Royal author Richard Fitzwilliams said that, regardless of the true reason for the duke’s non-appearance, it was further evidence of the “clearly horrible” relationship between the brothers.
The Duke of Sussex’s absence from the year’s society wedding is “the price he has to pay” for his self-imposed exile in the United States, a royal expert has said. The couple was seen last month in Nigeria.
Hugh Grosvenor to marry Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral tomorrow
He told MailOnline: “This is the society wedding of the year and in any normal circumstances Harry, Meghan and William would be there.”
‘Hugh Grosvenor has impeccable credentials, he is an old friend of Harry, godfather to George and Archie, and attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
The wedding will also be attended by many of his friends, whom Harry does not see now that he is in the United States.
“This shows that the rift between Harry and William has become a chasm; the situation is clearly horrible. Being in self-imposed exile can be very lonely and tomorrow is an example of the price you have to pay.
“I hope Harry privately regrets not being able to attend tomorrow because Hugh was a very special friend.”
People magazine, which was also the only publication invited to officially accompany Harry and Meghan on their recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria, says it can “confirm” that the prince was invited to the wedding and left of his own volition.
It continues: “However, both parties recognized that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.” The magazine adds: ‘It was an ‘understanding between two friends’, a source describes the conversation between the two dukes.
A source close to the couple told People that Harry and the Duke of Westminster reached a mutual agreement.
“The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamor that had caused estranged brothers Prince William, 41, and Prince Harry to attend the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple.”
Harry and William are seen at the unveiling of a statue of Princess Diana in 2021, the last time they were seen together
The publication added: “The Duke of Sussex sends ‘his love, support and admiration for the couple’ on their wedding day.”
The magazine concluded, sympathetically, that “transatlantic travel to the UK is complicated for Harry due to security issues in his home country”, noting that he no longer receives official 24-hour police protection and can no longer use his former home in Windsor. Frogmore Cottage.
This is despite the fact that the Prince can, and has received, limited protection from the Metropolitan Police when necessary in Britain and was even offered a place to stay at a royal residence by his father during his trip to the UK last month.
He and Meghan also traveled to Nigeria with their personal security team, despite it being one of the most dangerous places in Africa.
Hugh Grosvenor, 33, and his family have long enjoyed close ties with the Royal Family dating back many generations.
The Duke of Westminster, who inherited the title and family fortune at just 25 when his father died suddenly in 2016, is godfather to both ten-year-old Prince George, William and Kate’s eldest son, and Prince Archie, five.
He himself is the godson of King Charles, who will not attend the wedding as he continues to receive cancer treatment, and his mother, Natalia, the Dowager Duchess of Westminster, is godmother to Prince William.
Hugh Grosvenor, Charlie van Straubenzee and Arthur Landon attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding
Hugh and Olivia’s wedding will take place at Chester Cathedral on Friday lunchtime and was chosen because of the Westminster family’s close personal connection to the city.
The couple plans to spend more time at the family headquarters, Eaton Hall, once they get married.
Hugh, whose fortune is believed to be around £10bn through property and land holdings, has decided to use his enviable position to undertake greater charitable endeavours, particularly to help vulnerable children and young people.
He will be joined by his future wife, who until now has worked in the sustainable food industry.
Other notable guests expected tomorrow include Hugh’s sisters Lady Edwina and Lady Tamara and their husbands, broadcaster Dan Snow and banker Edward van Cutsem, also a close friend of William and Harry.
