‘Resentful’ Harry ‘agreed not to attend Archie’s godfather’s wedding’ to ‘avoid friction with William’ who has key role
PRINCE Harry is skipping attending Archie’s godfather’s wedding to “avoid friction with William”, according to a royal expert.
The Duke of Sussex will be a “no show” at the most exclusive wedding of the year, as billionaire Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, ties the knot on Friday.
Meanwhile, Prince William will be in attendance and will play a major role in the lavish wedding of his close friend as an usher.
The aristocrat and businessman, who is both Archie‘s and Prince George‘s godfather, is said to have invited both feuding brothers to his wedding to Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral on June 7.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “The Duke of Westminster is one of the few people who has remained friends with both William and Harry since their rift.
“So he was in a very difficult position but he must have realised that it was virtually impossible for both brothers to come to the wedding.”
Hugh is said to have spoken on the phone with Prince Harry who “accepted his dilemma.”
Phil added: “Harry is probably very upset that he isn’t coming as he has been close to the Duke for many years.
“But it was just a non-starter.
“If he had come he would have been ordered to his seat by William, who is an usher, and the friction would have been obvious for all to see.
“Harry must resent William’s prominent role and the brothers are as far apart as ever, but it seems Harry understands the problem for the Duke of Westminster.
“It’s just another example of how sad it is that we’ve come to this and William and Harry are on such bad terms.
“It’s causing distress not just for them but also their friends.”
The Duke of Westminster topped The Sunday Times Rich List for the under 40s when it was released on 17 May, with an estimated wealth of £10.127billion, which eclipses the fortune of William and Harry.
He became a billionaire at the young age of 25, after his father Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died in 2016 of heart attack aged 64.
Hugh and Olivia announced their engagement at Eaton Hall in Cheshire in April last year after being together for two years.
There are said to be 400 guests invited to his and Olivia’s wedding.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend.
King Charles – who is also undergoing treatment – is not expected to be there either, despite being Hugh’s godfather.
Hugh was said to have wanted Harry and Meghan at the wedding, but eventually decided against it, in light of the ongoing rift between the two princes.
If he [Harry] had come he would have been ordered to his seat by William, who is an usher, and the friction would have been obvious for all to see
Phil Dampier
A pal said: “It’s incredibly sad it has come to this.
“Hugh is one of the very few close friends of William and Harry’s who has maintained strong bonds and a line of communication with both.
“He wishes they could put their heads together and patch things up, but realises it’s unlikely to happen before the wedding.”
He and Olivia were introduced by mutual friends in 2021 and have reportedly insisted on a “strictly no-gifts policy” for guests.
The extensive properties of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster
THE Grosvenor family originally made their fortune from mining before turning their eye to the property world.
Hugh inherited an impressive property portfolio when his father passed away in 2016.
The Duke owns the entirety of London’s Park Lane and half of Mayfair.
As well as this, the properties Hugh owns include:
- Eaton Estate – the 11,500-acre Grosvenor family home in Cheshire.
- Abbeystead – the 23,500-acre shooting estate in Lancashire.
- Finca La Garganta estate – the 37,000-acre plot in rural Cordoba near Seville, Spain.
- Reay Forest in Sutherland, Scotland.
Following the wedding service, guests will enjoy a reception at nearby Eaton Hall on the Grosvenors’ 11,000-acre estate.
A second smaller reception will be held there for close family and friends.
Hugh, who often maintains a low profile, said he is “incredibly excited” about the wedding, but admitted it will be “nerve-racking”.
Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward added that she doubted the Sussexes would want to jet into the UK – where they’re unpopular – and go to a wedding where they may draw unnecessary attention.
Ingrid told The Sun: “Harry and Meghan obviously probably have no intention of flying 5,000miles to go to a wedding. It’s the society wedding of the year when that society doesn’t want to know them – especially Meghan.
“I should think I mean the last thing Meghan wanted to do was to fly to the UK – where she’s deeply unpopular – and be put on show, if you like, which she would be,
“To give them their credit, they knew that their presence there would actually deflect completely from the bride and groom, and that often happens when royalty go to a wedding.”