Startling revelations have detailed an awkward phone call between the Duke of Westminster and Prince Harry resulting in the latter snubbing his close friend’s wedding in an eleventh-hour backflip.
‘To Di For’ podcast host Kinsey Schofield says Prince Harry is going to “sit out” the Duke of Westminster’s wedding to “avoid royal tensions” overshadowing the wedding.
Harry and Meghan will not attend the wedding of their son’s godfather, Hugh Grosvenor.
Prince William will be an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding.
“According to the Sunday Times, Prince Harry is going to sit out the event to avoid royal tensions overshadowing the day,” Ms Schofield told Sky News host Rita Panahi.
“It was originally reported, back in December, that the Duke of Westminster initially wanted to invite Prince Harry and Meghan, but later decided against it after he realised that their presence might be an unwelcomed distraction.”
Harry was reportedly invited to the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster and his long-term girlfriend Olivia Henson set to take place at Chester Cathedral in England on Friday dubbed the royal ‘wedding of the year’.
The announcement months ago quickly sparked speculation about whether Harry and his estranged older brother Prince William, who was also invited, would cross paths for the celebration amid a sour rift between the two.
In an eleventh-hour backflip after having told Harry to “save the date”, Grosvenor suggested the Duke of Sussex reconsider the invitation to avoid “royal tensions” overshadowing the lavish wedding. Picture: Grosvenor 2023
The groom-to-be is also godfather to Harry and his wife Meghan Markle’s son Prince Archie, four, and to William and Kates’s oldest son Prince George, 10. Picture: Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty Images
The brothers grew up alongside the 33-year-old duke, affectionately known as Hughie in the royal fold.
The groom-to-be is also godfather to Harry and his wife Meghan Markle’s son Prince Archie, five, and to William and Kates’s oldest son Prince George, 10.
The Duke of Westminster broke the news to Harry he was in a difficult position over inviting him and William to his wedding, over an apparently awkward lengthy transatlantic phone call.
In an eleventh-hour backflip after having told Harry to “save the date”, Grosvenor suggested the Duke of Sussex reconsider the invitation to avoid “royal tensions” overshadowing the lavish wedding.
The Times reported a “a civilised understanding” had been reached between the two dukes over the phone.
“It is understood that a civilised understanding was reached between the duke and Harry,” the publication said.
“Harry was invited but then agreed to stay away. The duke’s diplomacy then cleared the way for William to perform the role of usher during Friday’s ceremony — a job that would have been beyond awkward if he was obliged to show Harry to his pew, even though he might enjoy telling him where to go.”
“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.”
The Duke of Westminster broke the news to Harry he was in a difficult position over inviting him and William to his wedding, over an apparently awkward lengthy transatlantic phone call. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Harry and Meghan will stay at home in their celebrity enclave suburb of Montecito, California when the exclusive wedding takes place this week, while the Prince of Wales stages the honourable role of usher at the ceremony.
It is understood William will attend the elite 400-guest ceremony without his wife the Princess of Wales while she continues her recovery following the mother-of three’s shock cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
It is also believed King Charles, a godfather of Hugh, and his wife Queen Camilla will not be in attendance as the couple will have just returned from Normandy in northern France for D-Day commemorations the day prior.
Chester Cathedral is blooming with florals ahead of the nuptials with the city decorated in 100,000 flowers planted in displays paid for by the groom.
Harry and Meghan will stay at home in their celebrity enclave suburb of Montecito, California when the exclusive wedding takes place this week, while the Prince of Wales stages the honourable role of usher at the ceremony. Picture: Oli Scarff – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Hugh last month issued rare remarks about his marriage to Henson, 30, as he visited the ancient abbey and publicly sought to thank those who have “supported” him in the lead up to the big day.
“I think next time we’re in here will be slightly more nerve-wracking. But I’m unbelievably excited,” he told Town & Country. “
“I just wanted to make it very clear how unbelievably helpful people have been, how supportive they’ve been so far which I’m unbelievably grateful for.”
Following the church service, guests of the newlyweds will attend an opulent reception at the Grosvenor’s’ nearby 11,000-acre estate, Eaton Hall.
On June 8, a second, more intimate reception will be held at the same venue.
Hugh, who is among Britain’s richest men under 40, became the 7th Duke of Westminster when his father Gerald Grosvenor died from a heart attack at the age of 64 in 2016.
At the time of his succession, he became the head of The Grosvenor Group and inherited an estimated wealth of £9billion having gained several new estates including Eaton Hall in Cheshire and the Abbeystead Estate in Lancashire.