Prince Harry's decision to avoid Duke of Westminster's wedding 'very sad'

Prince Harry turned down an invite to Hugh Grosvenor's wedding

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Hannah Ross

By Hannah Ross


Published: 29/05/2024

- 10:12

The Duke of Sussex turned down an invite to Hugh Grosvenor’s ceremony

  • A royal commentator said if Harry and Meghan attended it may take the focus away from the wedding couple
  • Grosvenor will marry Olivia Henson in June at Chester Cathedral
  • Prince William is going to be an usher at the nuptials

Prince Harry made the right decision to avoid the Duke of Westminster’s wedding, according to a royal commentator.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited to Hugh Grosvenor’s upcoming wedding but declined to attend the event.


The Prince of Wales is expected to be an usher at the wedding of his close friend which will be held at Chester Cathedral on June 7.

Royal commentator Emily Nash talked about the situation being “sad” but the “right thing to do” so that the focus is not taken from the couple on their wedding day.

Hugh Grosvenor and Prince Harry

Prince Harry turned down an invite to Hugh Grosvenor's wedding

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Nash said: “There’s no other way to look at this story, whatever the rights and wrongs on both sides, it’s just fundamentally very sad.

“It’s difficult, but you can also understand, why — diplomatically — it might be the right thing to do, because certainly, one thing the Royal Family is always clear about, they don’t want their presence, or absence, to be the focus of someone else’s happy day.

“For whatever reason, this decision has been made, and it's probably the right one, because it would absolutely become the story on the day otherwise, and no bride or groom wants that.”

Nash also said the situation is relatable as “most of us have had situations in our own families where there are rifts and these things pass.”

Duke of Westminster

Hugh Grosvenor is a godson of the King and has close links to the Royal Family

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However, she noted that the rift between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William “is not passing.”

It is understood that Prince Harry did not see his brother, William, during his last two trips to the United Kingdom.

Hugh Grosvenor is the godson of the King and has close links to the Royal Family.

There are expected to be up to 400 guests at the wedding of Hugh and his long-term partner Olivia Henson.

Hugh Grosvenor

Hugh Grosvenor is marrying Olivia Henson in June at Chester Cathedral

PA

King Charles and Queen Camilla are also expected to attend the wedding.

Prince William’s son, Prince George, is Hugh Grosvenor’s godson, however, the young royal is unlikely to act as a pageboy during the ceremony.

This is because the prince will likely be at school on the day of the wedding, which falls on a Friday.

George’s mother, the Princess of Wales, will also not attend the ceremony as she is recovering from cancer treatment.

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