Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor, 33, will marry Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral. William will act as an usher for the ceremony, which will start at midday on Friday with some 400 guests believed to be in attendance. The prince arrived at the cathedral at about 10.
30am, leaving a Mercedes van along with fellow ushers and entering through a side entrance unseen by many of the crowds gathered on the street outside. His brother the Duke of Sussex is not expected to be there after it was mutually agreed he would not attend. The wedding comes amid a long-running rift between the princes.
The Princess of Wales, who has been out of the spotlight as she undergoes treatment for cancer, is not expected to attend. The King, the groom’s godfather, and Queen are not due to be at the ceremony either, having been at D-Day commemorations in France on Thursday. The Duke of Westminster is godfather to William’s son, Prince George, and also, reportedly, to Harry’s son Prince Archie.
Ten-year-old George is not expected to attend the wedding as it falls on a school day. Ms Henson will travel to the cathedral with her father in a vintage Bentley, originally made for the car manufacturer’s founder in 1930. The wedding will be officiated by the Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford.
The service will be sung by the Chester Cathedral Choir, accompanied by a group of musicians from North West England. The Bishop of Chester, the Right Revd Mark Tanner, will preach and pray.
