The future King has an exciting summer ahead following the news that his close friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is having his first baby with wife Olivia

Prince William could earn himself an exciting new title after a lovely announcement from his close friend.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Westminster confirmed that the couple are expecting their first child together – and it’s highly likely that the future King will take on an important role.

A spokesperson for the couple – who tied the knot in June 2024 – said in a statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are very pleased to share that the Duchess is expecting a baby in the summer. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.”

Hugh Grosvenor, who is the seventh Duke of Westminster, is very close to William – and he is godfather to his eldest son, Prince George. King Charles, meanwhile, is Hugh’s godfather, while Hugh’s mother Natalia is one of William’s godparents.

Hugh and Olivia – the Duke and Duchess of Westminster – on their wedding day ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

With such close ties, it seems highly likely that the Prince will in turn be asked to be a godfather to Hugh and Olivia’s firstborn. Prince William served as an usher at the couple’s wedding last year, which was held on 7 June 2024 at Chester Cathedral. It was reported at the time that Prince Harry had also been invited – but declined amid ongoing tensions with William.

Hugh is believed to be one of the few people who remains close to both brothers despite their fallout, and he is also a godfather to Harry and Meghan’s son Archie.

Hugh, 34, inherited his title and control of the Grosvenor Estate, then worth an estimated £9 billion, following the death of his father in 2016. He is now ranked as one of the richest billionaires in the world thanks to his estimated £10.6bn net worth.

He received the title despite having two older sisters. And, as it stands, Hugh and Olivia’s first child will also be impacted by a centuries-old rule.

Peerages can currently only pass down the male line (known as male primogeniture), which means that the peerage can only be inherited by a male relative.

The couple have announced their exciting news ( 
Image:
PA)

The couple’s firstborn child will be impacted by a centuries-old rule ( 
Image:
PA)
Therefore, if the Duke and Duchess’ firstborn child is a girl, under the current laws, she will not be entitled to inherit the Westminster title, nor the family fortune and estate that goes with it. Instead, she would be styled as Lady, while the eldest son would be known as Earl Grosvenor until he inherits the dukedom.

The same rule directly impacted Hugh and his two older sisters, Lady Tamara and Lady Edwina Grosvenor. When their father, Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, died in 2016, the family title went to Hugh, his third child and only son.

Lady Tamara married Prince William’s close friend Edward van Cutsem in 2004 and has three children, Jake, Louis and Isla van Cutsem. Lady Edwina, meanwhile, married TV presenter and historian Dan Snow in 2010 and also has three children, Zia, Wolf and Orla.

There is also a younger sister, Lady Viola, who married Dragoon Guards officer Angus Roberts in a secret family wedding and celebrated with a party in Kenya.