Prince William has arrived at the society wedding of the year.
The Prince of Wales, 41, was seen walking into Chester Cathedral in northern England on Friday where his longtime friend Hugh Grosvenor will tie the knot with Olivia Henson, 31.
Notably, his wife Kate Middleton was not by his side as she continues to undergo cancer treatment behind closed doors.
The Prince of Wales, 41, served as an usher at his longtime friend’s nuptials. AFP via Getty Images
The newlyweds shared a sweet kiss after the ceremony. Getty Images
Olivia Henson looked stunning as she arrived for her nuptials. Getty Images
Grosvenor, 33, was seen waving at the large crowds waiting outside the cathedral. AFP via Getty Images
The happy couple waved to royalists who lined the streets for hours. Samir HusseinWireImage
William arrived without his wife as she continues to undergo cancer treatment. APKing Charles, for his part, skipped out on the festivities after having just returned from France to honor veterans on the 80th anniversary of the historic D-Day landings.
The father of three looked dapper in a classic ensemble complete with grey bottoms and a black tailcoat atop a crisp white shirt.
William swiftly entered the cathedral without greeting the large crowd gathered outside.
The bride’s dress was adorned with a long lace veil. AFP via Getty Images
The newlyweds left the ceremony in a vintage Bentley Motors 1930. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Bentley Motors
The Prince of Wales, 41, was seen walking into Chester Cathedral ahead of the ceremony. Samir HusseinWireImage
Hugh Grosvenor’s wedding to Olivia Henson is taking place at Chester Cathedral. Grosvenor2023/PA
The groom appeared in good spirits as he arrived to his nuptials. Samir HusseinWireImage
Princess Eugenie was also seen attending the lavish service. AFP via Getty ImagesWilliam’s cousin, Princess Eugenie, was also spotted arriving for the lavish service to watch Grosvenor, who is one of the richest men in Britain, and Henson say their “I Do’s.”
William will be an usher at the 400-person ceremony as Grosvenor, 33, is the godfather to Prince George.
William dashed back for the service after spending Thursday in France in honor of D-Day. AFP via Getty Images
Henson waved to well-wishers gathered outside the cathedral. AFP via Getty Images
The pair are now the Duke and Duchess of Westminster. AFP via Getty ImagesThe Duke of Westminster is also godfather to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie, however the Sussexes declined the invitation to attend the nuptials.
Ahead of Grosvenor’s wedding, the Dean of Chester revealed that the service will be in modern English to reflect the “contemporary couple.”
William was seen chatting to fellow guests after the ceremony. AP
William looked dapper in a classic ensemble complete with grey bottoms and a black tailcoat atop a crisp white shirt. Samir HusseinWireImage
Grosvenor pulled up to his wedding in style as he and his Best Men exited a vintage Land Rover. AFP via Getty Images
Details of the bride’s dress were kept strictly under wraps ahead of the ceremony. AFP via Getty ImagesAn “intimate gathering” will follow the ceremony at Eaton Hall, Grosvenor’s 11,000-acre family estate, where the reception will take place.
The Sunday Times described the event as “the most royal non-royal wedding of the year, with members of Britain’s oldest and wealthiest aristocratic families heading north.”
Large crowds lined the streets of Chester hoping to catch a glimpse of the guests. AFP via Getty Images
The Duke of Westminster was seen shaking hands with notable guests ahead of the ceremony. AFP via Getty Images
Prince William did not greet royalists who were waiting outside the cathedral. AFP via Getty Images
Henson was seen holding a floral bridal bouquet upon arrival. Samir HusseinWireImageSpeaking ahead of the nuptials, a spokesman for the couple said that they’ve “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.”
On Thursday night, Princess Eugenie was seen enjoying some pre-wedding drinks with fellow guests at the nearby Grosvenor hotel.
Eugenie’s attendance at Grosvenor’s wedding had not been previously confirmed.
Grosvenor, whose inherited fortune is reportedly worth an estimated $12.6 billion, was introduced to Henson by mutual friends in 2021.
Despite inviting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the wedding, Harry, 39, declined the invite to avoid having his reunion with estranged brother William overshadow the nuptials.
Her dress featured an open back design. AFP via Getty Images
While the Duke didn’t greet any well-wishers ahead of the service, he did throw them a wave as he entered the cathedral. Getty Images
William has been friends with Grosvenor (left) for years. Getty ImagesA source told Page Six in December that Harry personally called Grosvenor to explain the situation and the pair mutually agreed it would be best if he didn’t come.
“Harry actually got a ‘save the date’ card a few months ago but called Hugh and said it would be too awkward if he and Meghan Markle attended, so he made his apologies and Hugh understood,” an insider shared.
