- Author, Rumeana Jahangir & PA Media
- Role, BBC News
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have thanked guests and well-wishers for making their wedding day “so memorable”.
Hugh Grosvenor, a godson of King Charles, married Olivia Henson at Chester’s medieval cathedral on Friday – with Prince William attending as an usher.
The duke is one of the richest men in the country, with a fortune estimated to be worth £10.1 billion.
In a joint statement, the newlyweds said: “We have been incredibly touched by everyone’s amazing support and warm wishes.”
About 400 guests, including Princess Eugenie and TV producer Phil Redmond, attended the wedding before a reception was held at the duke’s family estate at nearby Eaton Hall.
The King and Queen were not present after travelling to France for D-Day commemorations, while the Princess of Wales did not attend as she continues to undergo cancer treatment.
The Duke of Sussex was also not present.
Image source, Benjamin Wheeler/PA
The couple said: “We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us yesterday and want to extend a special thank you to those in Chester who helped make our day so memorable.”
People in the city centre were offered free ice creams in honour of the occasion, after the couple teamed up with three local independent businesses to provide the treats.
The city’s annual Summer Flowers project was also funded by the duke and duchess, with 100,000 flowers planted as part of the wedding celebrations.
The duke became a billionaire on inheriting his title and control of the Grosvenor Estate at the age of 25, following his father’s death in 2016.
His firm, Grosvenor Group, owns property in London’s wealthy Mayfair and Belgravia districts, as well as city centre developments such as the Liverpool One shopping centre.
Two women, aged 69 and 73, were arrested after orange powder was released as guests left the ceremony.
Just Stop Oil said the pair were supporters of their group and disrupted the ceremony as part of calls on the government to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.