Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster and renowned billionaire aristocrat, has taken a significant step in his personal life by revealing his engagement to Olivia Henson, his girlfriend of two years.
The proposal took place at Eaton Hall in Cheshire, the family’s historic estate, where Grosvenor got down on one knee.
This news has sparked widespread joy among both families, marking a new chapter for the couple.
Let’s delve into the background of Hugh Grosvenor.
Born in London in January 1991, he is the third child of the late Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster, and Natalia.
The Grosvenor family has a longstanding connection with the royal family, evident in Grosvenor being a godparent to Prince George and Prince Louis, the future King’s brother.
Despite his affluent upbringing, Grosvenor attended a state primary school before pursuing countryside management at Newcastle University.
Throughout the years, Grosvenor has maintained a relatively low profile, except for his role as Prince George’s godparent since 2013 and later becoming Prince Louis’ godfather in 2018.
On Prince Louis’ recent birthday, Grosvenor bestowed a remarkable gift upon him – a valuable piece of land in Belgravia, signifying a significant gesture of goodwill towards the royal family.
While this gesture solidifies Grosvenor’s ties with the royals, it also hints at potential philanthropic collaborations with Wales in the future.
However, this development seems to have stirred some discontent among certain members of the royal family, particularly the Sussexes, who have had strained relations with the institution over time.
In contrast to Grosvenor’s generous act towards Prince Louis, the Sussexes have yet to appoint any British royals as godparents to their children, underscoring the lingering tensions within the family.
Prince Louis currently boasts a diverse array of royal godparents, including Nicholas Van Cutsem, Lucy Middleton, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey Fletcher, Lady Laura Mead, and Mrs. Robert Carter.
Turning back to Hugh Grosvenor’s lineage, his father, the 6th Duke of Westminster, was once ranked as the 68th wealthiest individual globally and the third richest in the UK, with a staggering fortune of £8.3 billion.
Inheriting not just the title but also the substantial estate valued at £9.7 billion, Grosvenor now oversees the family’s vast property holdings, which encompass 11,000 acres at Eaton Hall and investments in numerous cities worldwide.
With a significant presence in Belgravia, an affluent district near Buckingham Palace, the Grosvenor family’s wealth extends to multiple multi-million-pound properties.
Moreover, their holdings include a strategic stake in Silicon Valley, highlighting their diversified investment portfolio.
Last year, the Duke of Westminster secured the 13th spot on the prestigious Sunday Times Rich List, underscoring the enduring prosperity of the Grosvenor dynasty.