William's close friends reveal 'thrill' as Prince of Wales tipped for 'special role'

GB NEWS

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WATCH: Richard Palmer discusses fears William could 'banish' Harry

James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 28/07/2025

- 01:00

Updated: 28/07/2025

- 02:16

The Prince's tight-knight ties to his uber-wealthy friends could soon become even closer

Prince William's close friends have revealed their joy at the birth of their first child, a baby daughter.

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and his wife Duchess Olivia, released a statement on Sunday after their little girl was born in London.


As well as confirming their daughter's name - Cosima Florence - a spokesman for the Westminsters revealed the couple were thrilled and that both mother and baby were doing well.

"The duke and duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family," their spokesman added.

Hugh, according to The Sunday Times Rich List, is Britain's 14th-richest person, with a net worth approaching £10billion.

He is also Prince George's godfather - and is said to be the same to Prince Harry's son Archie, too.

Duke of Westminster

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The Duke of Westminster is both Archie and Prince George's godfather - and Prince William could soon take up a similar post

And the Prince of Wales could soon see the honour returned by his close friend.

William stepped up as an usher at the couple's lavish June 2024 wedding at Chester Cathedral.

Harry, however, agreed with the Duke of Westminister he would not attend thanks to his fraternal feud.

But now, William could further cement the Windsor-Westminster ties through a godparental appointment.

LATEST ON PRINCE WILLIAM:

The Duke of Westminster

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The Duke of Westminster and his wife got married at Chester Cathedral last June. William stepped up as an usher at the couple's lavish ceremony

King Charles is Hugh's godfather, while in turn, Hugh's mother Natalia is one of Prince William's godparents.

The Westminsters have maintained a private profile since their wedding last year at Chester Cathedral.

However, ahead of Cosima Florence's birth on July 27, their spokesman confirmed the couple were "very pleased to share that 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," he added.

Prince William

PA

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King Charles is Hugh's godfather, while in turn, Hugh's mother Natalia is one of Prince William's godparents

The Grosvenor Estate runs some 300 acres of property across the elite London neighbourhoods of Mayfair, Pimlico and Belgravia - alongside sizeable estates in Lancashire and Scotland.

Hugh was once jokingly described by his father Gerald as having been "born with the longest silver spoon anyone can have" in his mouth.

His estate owns buildings in 40 cities across the world, and has helped to fund large-scale projects like the Liverpool One shopping centre.

The Duke of Westminster went to school at Ellesmere College in Shropshire, before studying countryside management at Newcastle University.

Olivia Grosvenor, nee Henson, is a graduate of Hispanic studies and Italian from Trinity College Dublin - and runs a honey business on the couple's sprawling 11,000-acre Cheshire estate at Eaton Hall.