All parties acknowledged the difficulties of Prince Harry’s attendance, despite his invitation to Britain’s biggest wedding of the year.
PEOPLE confirms that the Duke of Sussex, 39, has been invited to Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, and Olivia Henson’s wedding on June 7 in Chester Cathedral in northern England. However, all parties acknowledged that Harry would find it impossible to attend. Meanwhile, Prince William is scheduled to act as an usher at what is considered the year’s most important society wedding.
The chat between the two dukes was an “understanding between the two friends,” according to a source. According to a source close to the couple, Harry and the Duke of Westminster reached a mutual accord.
The decision certainly avoided the anticipated chaos if estranged brothers Prince William, 41, and Prince Harry attended the wedding, reducing the risk of overshadowing the couple’s wonderful day.
Transatlantic travel to the United Kingdom is difficult for Harry due to security concerns in his own nation. After he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from their royal responsibilities and returned to their home state of California in 2020, they withdrew their formal support. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can no longer use Frogmore Cottage, their previous residence in Windsor Great Park, as a base for visits to the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, Prince Harry’s RSVP eliminates the need for his brother to escort him to his seat, as he will greet visitors and assist them in finding their seats in the church’s pews on Friday.
According to PEOPLE, the Duke of Sussex offers “his love, support, and admiration for the couple” on their wedding day.
Hugh is a godfather to Prince Harry and Meghan’s 5-year-old son, Prince Archie, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest son, Prince George (10).
Aside from the Prince of Wales, other notable attendees at the summer wedding will include Grosvenor’s sisters, Lady Edwina and Lady Tamara, and their spouses, broadcaster Dan Snow and financier Edward van Cutsem.
The Times described the forthcoming wedding as “the most royal nonroyal wedding of the year, with members of Britain’s oldest and wealthiest aristocratic families heading north.” Hugh, 33, and Olivia, 31, announced their engagement in April 2023 after dating for two years. When they marry, the bride will become the next Duchess of Westminster. Following his father’s death in 2016, Hugh took on the title at the age of 25, and estimates place the family’s net wealth at $12.8 billion.
In addition to his royal family links, the Duke of Westminster is King Charles’ godson, and his mother is Prince William’s godmother.
King Charles and Princess Kate, who are both receiving cancer treatment, are unlikely to attend the wedding.
King Charles, 75, resumed public appearances in late April after the palace disclosed his diagnosis in February, while the Princess of Wales, 42, has been out of the spotlight since breaking the news of her health in March.