ARCHIE’S godfather will be breathing a sigh of relief now Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can’t go to his lavish wedding, a royal expert claims.

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, will tie the knot with Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral on June 7.

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Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster, 33, is marrying Olivia Henson next monthCredit: PA

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Prince William with General Timothy Granville-Chapman, Hugh Grosvenor and John PeaceCredit: AFP

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Hugh and William attend the wedding of Edward van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral in 2004Credit: Getty

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Hugh became an instant billionaire at 25Credit: Getty
But the aristocrat and businessman, who is both Archie’s and Prince George’s godfather, is said to have been full of worry leading up to his big day.

Sources claimed Hugh was conrcered about princes Harry and William’s feud – and how it may pan out on the big day.

But it was reported yesterday that the Duke of Sussex won’t be attending to avoid any tension – while Wills will be in the wedding party.

Now royal expert Ingrid Seward has weighed in on the Sussexes not RSVPing – and said it would be welcomed by many.

She said she doubted the couple would want to jet into the UK – where they’re unpopular – and go to a wedding where they may draw unnecesary attention.

Ingrid told The Sun: “Harry and Meghan obviously probably have no intention of flying 5,000miles to go to a wedding. It’s the society wedding of the year when that society doesn’t want to know them – especially Meghan.

“I should think I mean the last thing Meghan wanted to do was to fly to the UK – where she’s deeply unpopular – and be put on show, if you like, which she would be,

“To give them their credit, they knew that their presence there would actually deflect completely from the bride and groom, and that often happens when royalty go to a wedding.”

The Hugh and Olivia announced their engagement at Eaton Hall in Cheshire in April last year after being together for two years.

And last week the Duke of Westminster topped The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List, boasting a fortune of £10.1 billion.

The details of his and Olivia’s wedding have been coming to light in recent weeks – including that Wills will be an usher during the ceremony.

Ingrid added that she thought the Sussexes had made a great call not coming over for the big day.

She said: “If Harry comes without Meghan it would look a little odd, and if he comes with Meghan, they will steal the thunder.

“So, in a way, I think the situation was resolved for them and I’m certain that Hugh Grosvenor is probably very relieved because it sort of solves the problem for him as well.”

Hugh became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate aged 25 following the death of his father from a heart attack in 2016.

His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns about 300 acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool’s ONE shopping centre, and the duke is part of the royal inner circle.

There are said to be 400 guests invited to his and Olivia’s wedding.

Wills’ key role in Hugh’s big day

By Ryan Merrifield

PRINCE William will play a major role in the lavish wedding of his close friend – and Archie’s godfather – but his brother Harry won’t attend.

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, 33, is getting married next month to Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral.

The Prince of Wales, 41, is among the groom’s party and will be an usher during the ceremony, for which there will be 400 in attendance.

Kate, the Princess of Wales, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend.

King Charles – who is also undergoing chemo – is not expected to be there either, despite being Hugh’s godfather.

It is understood that to avoid any tension, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, will not be attending, reports the Sunday Times.

Hugh – known as “Hughie” to his pals – is said to be close with the Duke of Sussex.

The businessman and aristocrat – who is also godfather to William’s son and second in line to the throne Prince George – boasts a fortune of £10.1 billion.

He inherited his title and control of his family’s estate following his father’s death in 2016.

His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns about 300 acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool’s ONE shopping centre, and the duke is part of the royal inner circle.

Kate, the Princess of Wales, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend.

King Charles – who is also undergoing treatment – is not expected to be there either, despite being Hugh’s godfather.

Hugh was said to have wanted Harry and Meghan at the wedding, but eventually decided against it, in light of the ongoing rift between the two princes.

A pal said: “It’s incredibly sad it has come to this.

“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.”

He and Olivia were introduced by mutual friends in 2021 and have reportedly insisted on a “strictly no-gifts policy” for guests.

Following the wedding service, guests will enjoy a reception at nearby Eaton Hall on the Grosvenors’ 11,000-acre estate.

A second smaller reception will be held there for close family and friends.

Hugh, who often maintains a low profile, said he is “incredibly excited” about the wedding, but admitted it will be “nerve-racking”.

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Prince Harry and Meghan attend a polo fundraiser event in Lagos, Nigeria, last weekCredit: Reuters

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Harry and Meghan have just completed a brief tour of NigeriaCredit: Getty

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Harry and William are said to have been feuding for several yearsCredit: AFP