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Prince Harry pulled out of attending the society wedding of the year after realising ‘the challenges of his attendance’, it has been claimed. Sources close to the ex-royal briefed People magazine in the U.S. following weeks of speculation, claiming he had spoken personally to the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, to discuss the awkward situation. Both Harry, 39, and his estranged brother, Prince William, are long-standing friends of Hugh, one of the richest men in Britain, who will be marrying Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral tomorrow.
Indeed, William is set to be an usher at the event, which is also set to be attended by dozens of mutual friends, some of whom are no longer on speaking terms with the Duke of Sussex. He could potentially have been asked to show his brother to his seat, despite the pair not having spoken in person for at least two years.
Now People magazine, which was also the only publication invited to officially accompany Harry and Meghan on their recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria, says it can ‘confirm’ that the prince was invited to wedding, despite previous claims that the Duke of Westminster had ‘excluded’ the Sussexes to avoid a clash with the senior royals. It goes on: ‘However, there was an acknowledgment on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.’ The magazine adds: ‘It was an ‘understanding between the two friends,’ a source describes the conversation between the two dukes.
An insider close to the bride and groom told People that Harry and the Duke of Westminster mutually made the agreement. ‘The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamour had estranged brothers Prince William, 41, and Prince Harry both attended the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple.’ The publication added that: ‘The Duke of Sussex sends ‘his love and support and admiration for the couple’ for their wedding day.’
The magazine concluded, sympathetically, that ‘transatlantic travel to the UK Is fraught for Harry due to security challenges in his home country’, pointing out that he no longer receives round the clock official police protection and can no longer use their former Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage. This is despite the fact that the Prince can, and has, been given limited Metropolitan Police protection when necessary in Britain and was even offered a place to stay in a royal residence by his father during his trip to the UK last month.
He and Meghan also both travelled to Nigeria with their personal security team, despite it being one of the most dangerous places in Africa. Hugh Grosvenor, 33, and his family have long enjoyed close links with the Royal Family spanning back many generations.
The Duke of Westminster (pictured left), who inherited the title and family fortune at the age of just 25 when his father died suddenly in 2016, is godfather to both Prince George, ten, William and Kate’s eldest son, and Prince Archie, five. He is himself a godson of King Charles – who will not be attending the wedding as he continues to undergo cancer treatment – and his mother, Natalia, the Dowager Duchess of Westminster, is a godmother to Prince William. Hugh and Olivia’s wedding will take place at Chester Cathedral at noon on Friday and was chosen because of the Westminster family’s close personal connection with the city.
The couple plan to spend more time at the family seat, Eaton Hall, once they are married. Hugh, whose fortune is believed to be in the region of around £10 billion ($12.7bn) through property and landholdings, has nevertheless set about using his enviable position to undertake greater charitable endeavours, particularly in helping vulnerable children and young people.
His bride to be, who has worked until now in the sustainable food industry, will join him in this. Other prominent guests expected tomorrow include Hugh’s sisters, Lady Edwina and Lady Tamara, and their husbands, broadcaster Dan Snow and banker Edward van Cutsem, also a close friend of both William and Harry.
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