Prince William to Usher at Duke of Westminster’s Wedding Amid Royal Family Tensions

Prince William is set to play a key role as an usher at the highly anticipated wedding of his friend, the Duke of Westminster. However, King Charles will be notably absent, amidst ongoing rumours of tension related to a past perceived snub involving Queen Camilla. Additionally, Prince Harry has not been invited, reportedly to avoid potential family drama that could overshadow the celebration.

The wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, and his fiancée Olivia Henson is scheduled for June 7 at Chester Cathedral. Despite being hailed as the “society wedding of the year,” the event will not see the presence of King Charles and Queen Camilla. This absence is linked to lingering feelings about an incident at the 2004 wedding of Hugh’s sister, Lady Tamara Grosvenor.

At that time, King Charles and Camilla, then known as Camilla Parker Bowles, declined their invitations to Lady Tamara’s wedding to Edward van Cutsem. The decision was influenced by the seating arrangements dictated by royal protocol. Due to the attendance of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and Princes William and Harry, Camilla was told she could not sit with Prince Charles. Instead, she was to be seated several rows back and required to arrive separately, a move seen as a slight against her.

The protocol issue from 2004 seems to have cast a long shadow, contributing to the King and Queen’s decision to skip the upcoming ceremony. The Grosvenor family, one of the wealthiest in the UK, has a long-standing and close relationship with the royal family, making the absence of the monarch particularly notable.

Adding to the intrigue, Prince Harry has not been invited to the wedding. Sources suggest that his exclusion is an effort to avoid any potential awkwardness or tension that his presence might bring to the occasion. The focus remains firmly on ensuring that Hugh and Olivia’s big day proceeds without any distractions.

Prince William’s role as an usher underscores his close friendship with the Duke of Westminster, highlighting the deep connections that continue to bind the younger generation of royals with the aristocracy. Despite the notable absences and the undercurrent of past tensions, the wedding is set to be a grand affair, celebrating the union of two prominent families.

As the big day approaches, all eyes will be on Chester Cathedral, not just for the nuptials of Hugh and Olivia, but also for any further developments in the complex web of royal relationships.