Duke of Westminster bride's striking shoes and incredibly personal wedding dress (2024)

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster and one of the UK's richest men, married his girlfriend Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral today - and there has been much excitement surrounding the bride's wedding dress

Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is one of the UK's richest men - but today, all eyes are on his beautiful new bride.

After much speculation, we've now had our first look at Olivia Henson's gorgeous dress as she stepped out of a vintage Bentley outside Chester Cathedral. She stunned in a gown by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne and she completed her bridal look with the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, one that Grosvenor brides wear on their wedding day.

Her veil had floral motifs and edgings from her great great grandmother's veil, worn circa 1880 and was reimagined to include scalloped edges and oval shapes to reflect the bride's engagement ring. The veil also features her and her groom's initials and wedding date. Another sweet nod to traditon comes with her dark blue velvet shoes, adorned with oversized bows. The heels will likely be her 'something blue' as she walks down the aisle.

In line with tradition, Olivia arrived at the cathedral with her dad, and the pair waved to crowds before walking into the cathedral. The couple's will tie the knot at Chester Cathedral today with more than 400 guests due to attend, including Prince William who is acting as one of their ushers.

Olivia, who grew up in London and Oxfordshire, has worked in the sustainable food and drinks industry, most recently at London-based artisanal food company Belazu. The pair met through a mutual friend back in 2021. They dated for two years before Hugh popped the question on his family's 11,000 acre estate, Eaton Hall - which is where they are holding their wedding reception later today.

The couple are said to have chosen the wedding venue for its beauty and because of the personal connection to the duke , whose family home Eaton Hall is nearby. A spokesperson for the Duke and Ms Henson said: “This is an incredibly special day for the Duke and Miss Henson and they are very much looking forward to the service.

"It means a lot to them to marry in Chester Cathedral, especially given the Grosvenor family's long and close personal connection to both the Cathedral and the city of Chester. The couple have also been moved by the messages of support they have received from around the region and are hugely grateful that people want to share in their happiness."

The spokesperson added: “The Duke and Miss Henson have taken a great deal of care in planning the wedding, putting their own personal stamp on all the arrangements and have made a conscious effort to involve local and regional suppliers in several aspects of the day.”

While Prince William is playing a key role in today's event, the majority of the Royal Family will miss the big day. His brother the Duke of Sussex is not expected to be there, with mixed reporting on whether he actually got an invitation or not. 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.

The wedding will be officiated by the Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, with the Chester Cathedral Choir singing during the ceremony. They will also accompanied by a group of musicians from North West England. The Bishop of Chester, the Right Revd Mark Tanner, will preach and prayers will be led by the Revd Canon Rosie Woodall. The Duke of Westminster topped The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List earlier this year, boasting a fortune of £10.1 billion.