Prince William arrives at Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor’s wedding as Harry stays away

A dapper Prince of Wales chatted and mingled with guests at the wedding of the Duke of Westminster with Prince Harry nowhere to be seen. See the pics.

With a cream rose in the buttonhole of his frock coat, a neat pocket square, waistcoat and smiles, Prince William welcomed hundreds of guests at the wedding of his oldest friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, to Oliva Henson, at Chester Cathedral on Friday.

His brother, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, agreed to stay away.

The Prince of Wales arrived at the event which has been dubbed as the “society wedding of the year” fresh from D-Day commemorations as huge masses of people gathered in the North West England town of Cheshire applauded his arrival.

Well-wishers line the street ahead of the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson. Picture: Getty

Hugh Grosvenor - the 7th Duke of Westminster and the richest man in the UK under the age of 40 - is marrying fiancée Olivia Henson in what has been described as the event of the year in the UK, with some 400 aristocratic guests invited.

Prince William looked every inch the future monarch with a blue tie, tie pin and pale blue waistcoat.

The Prince of Wales was believed to be the only senior member of the Royal Family to attend the wedding where he was taking on the important role of usher for his long-term friend Hugh Grosvenor.

The Prince of Wales was all smiles after the wedding ceremony. Picture: Getty Images

Prince William served as an usher. Picture: Getty Images

With Harry uninvited, William was able to enjoy a tension-free celebration. Picture: AFP

Prince William arrives at the wedding of the year at Chester Cathedral. Picture: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie arrived in an olive green dress and fascinator with Violet Henderson-Vestey, author and former editor at Vogue.

Busloads of guests were ferried to the cathedral festooned with flowers.

The Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, helped calm pre-wedding nerves, when he offered a firm handshake to the groom on his big day.

The Duke of Westminster is understood to have reached an “understanding” with the Duke of Sussex, whose son Archie he is godfather to, in an awkward telephone conversation in which he expressed concern heightened tensions between the brothers would overshadow the day’s events.

Olivia Henson smiles as she walks into Chester Cathedral. Picture: Getty Images

Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, waves to well-wishers as he arrives for his wedding. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry agreed to pull out of the wedding despite Mr Grosvenor - who is also godfather to William’s oldest son Prince George - having sent Harry a “save the date” invitation months earlier.

The Princess of Wales did not attend the wedding as she continues her recovery after revealing earlier this year that she is undergoing chemotherapy.

King Charles, who in turn is the Duke of Westminster’s godfather, has “other engagements” and said he could not attend.

The only hiccup on the big day was when protesters from Just Stop Oil set off fire extinguishers opposite the cathedral in an attempt to disrupt the wedding.

The future king took his usher duties seriously. Picture: AFP

The Prince of Wales did a double take at the plumes of dark smoke as he left the cathedral with the bride and groom’s parties.

Just Stop Oil claimed responsibility for the demonstration in a statement that read: “Weddings are a time of coming together in celebration to make a commitment to the future.

“However, for countless millions around the world there is no future unless we come together to stop oil and gas.

“That’s why we are demanding that the next UK government work with other countries to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.”

Originally published as Prince William arrives at Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor’s wedding as Harry stays away