Watch our exclusive interview with Royal expert Katie Nicholl
THE Duke of Westminster’s wedding has exposed Harry and William’s brutal rift, a royal expert has claimed.
Hugh Grosvenor, 33, tied the knot with fiancee Olivia Henson, 31, in a lavish ceremony at Chester Cathedral on Friday.
The perfect day couldn’t be spoiled by Just Stop Oil protesters, who let off orange-coloured fire extinguishers after the ceremony.
Prince William, who was an usher for the wedding, watched on with a smile as the happy couple left the chapel.
Prince Harry was said to have agreed not to attend to avoid clashes with his brother amid their rift.
And Royal commentator Katie Nicholl claimed any encounters between the pair would have been excruciating.
Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show, the expert also said the wedding exposed their rift.
Katie told Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “It would have been hugely awkward having both brothers there.
“And William as an usher at the service. Can you imagine the awkwardness if he had to show Harry or Meghan to their seats?”
She continued: “All of the headlines would be about the brothers and this rift when this is actually a really important society wedding and I think it would detract from certainly the bride and groom of the day and no one would want that.
“I think knowing that Hugh is very close to both of the brothers he was obviously in a very difficult position.
“He was never going to invite one and not the other. I think his hope was that Harry would gracefully bow out of this one which is exactly what happened.
“I suppose if you were the Duke of Westminster and your wedding’s going to be all over the front pages are you going to want the spare there, or are you going to want the heir and the future King.
“The optics of course is it’s better for Prince William to be there and I think it just highlights this divide doesn’t it.”
Katie added that there are “two royal camps operating”, the “court of Montecito” and Wills.
She said: “When it comes to everything that’s royal or aristocratic and British I think it’s going to be William that comes top in the pecking order.”
William and Harry have always had a close relationship with Hugh, and were both ushers at his sister’s wedding in 2004.
And while it’s reported Harry would have loved to have been there for Hugh’s big day – he snubbed the event after “challenges” came to light.
A source close to the Sussexes told People magazine: “There was an acknowledgement on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.
“It was an understanding between the two friends.
“The decision certainly avoided the inevitable clamour had estranged brothers Prince William and Prince Harry both attended the nuptials, eliminating the possibility of the big day being overshadowed for the couple.”
The Duke, who was once dubbed the UK’s richest bachelor, is King Charles’ godson, and the godfather of both Prince George and Archie.
Bride-to-be Olivia wowed crowds in a custom-made lace-edged satin wedding dress by designer Emma Victoria Payne.
A family statement revealed: “The bespoke embroidery design on the bridal gown and veil was hand drawn and re-imagined by Emma Victoria Payne, incorporating floral motifs and edgings from Olivia’s great great grandmother’s veil from around 1880.”
Ahead of the star-studded ceremony Hugh beamed and waved at the masses when he arrived in a forest green Land Rover – similar to the late Prince Philip’s.
He greeted the Dean of Chester, the Rev Dr Tim Stratford, at the entrance to the cathedral at 11.30am, around half-an-hour before the glamorous bride’s arrival.
Dozens of well-wishers cheered as Olivia’s dress and veil billowed in the wind when she made her way inside the church.
The dress featured floral motifs and edgings from Olivia’s great great grandma’s veil, which was worn in around 1880.
Her Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara has been in the Grosvenor family since it was created in 1906.
