The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are said to be “delighted” as they are expecting their first child this summer, it has been announced. Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor and his wife Olivia tied the knot last June during a lavish ceremony at Chester Cathedral – in what was dubbed the society wedding of the year.

A spokesman for the couple said: “The duchess is expecting a baby in the summer. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.” The duke, one of the UK’s biggest landowners, is a close friend of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, and godfather to Prince George and also reportedly to Prince Archie.

William acted as an usher at his wedding in Chester Cathedral last year, but Harry mutually agreed with the groom that he would not attend amid his long-running rift with his brother. Princess Eugenie attended the wedding too.

The bride looked breathtaking in a sleek wedding dress and veil designed by Emma Victoria Payne and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara – a family heirloom since 1906.

Her bouquet was made of flowers picked from the gardens of the Duke’s family home, Eaton Hall.

Hugh also looked dapper in a black longtail coat, a black waistcoat, grey pin-striped trousers, a white and light blue shirt and a pink tie which featured dragonflies.

The aristocrat made quite the entrance as he arrived at the ceremony in a green Land Rover and waved to the crowds who had gathered in the streets.

Hugh, once considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors, became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate aged 25, following the death of his father from a heart attack in 2016.

His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns hundreds of acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool’s One shopping centre.

In 2020, the duke donated £12.5 million to the UK’s Covid-19 relief effort including funds for NHS Charities Together and for medical research and development.