Prince William to be usher at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding

Prince William is set to take centre stage at a huge event while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain on the outer.

Prince William will be an usher at the British society wedding of the year as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stay away, despite the groom being godfather to their son.

The Prince of Wales will attend the wedding of his close friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, who was once a close friend of Prince Harry and is also godfather to Prince Archie.

Prince William with Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster. Picture: Getty Images

Prince William will attend the Duke of Westminster’s wedding. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, pictured during their Nigeria trip, will not be attending the wedding of Prince Archie’s godfather. Picture: Getty Images

Princess Catherine, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend the ceremony at Chester Cathedral on June 7, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be noticeably absent, The Sunday Times reports.

Known as “Hughie” to his friends, the 33-year-old Duke of Westminster has an inherited fortune estimated at more than $A19 billion after the sudden death of his father from a heart attack in 2016.

Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson will marry on June 7 with Prince William as usher. Picture: Instagram

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, inherited a massive estate from his late father. Picture: Getty Images

Grosvenor inherited the 300-plus acre Grosvenor estate, which is made up of some of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods including Mayfair and Belgravia.

The aristocrat and his future wife, Olivia Henson, who studied at Marlborough College alongside Princess Eugenie, have insisted on a “strictly no-gifts policy” for their guests. The Sunday Times reports.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry previously said they declined a wedding invitation. Picture: AFP

King Charles, who is godfather to the groom, will not attend the wedding.

The monarch is still undergoing cancer treatment and will be travelling to France the day before the ceremony with Queen Camilla and Prince William for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

It was claimed last year that Prince Harry had been “snubbed” from the wedding, but a source close to the Sussexes told Page Six that both he and Meghan had in fact received invitations, but had jointly decided to decline.

After the wedding service at Chester Cathedral, guests will enjoy a grand reception at nearby Eaton Hall.

The following day they will host a second, smaller reception at Eaton Hall for close family and friends.

Sustainability will be a key feature of the wedding, The Sunday Times reports, with all food, flowers and products used for the wedding locally sourced where possible.

Originally published as Prince William to be usher at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding