Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is making ready to welcome his first kid along with his spouse, Olivia Grosvenor, the Duchess of Westminster. Because the couple start their subsequent bankruptcy, the 34-year-old aristocrat continues to make headlines as one of the crucial wealthiest people in the United Kingdom.
Hugh, who could also be a godfather to Prince George, gave the impression on this yr’s Sunday Instances 40 Below 40 Wealthy Checklist with a reported web value of £9.88 billion. This determine makes him now not most effective one of the crucial richest folks beneath 40 in the United Kingdom, but in addition one of the crucial wealthiest people in Europe.
Circle of relatives legacy and huge property
The Duke inherited his name and the Grosvenor circle of relatives industry in 2016, following the unexpected loss of life of his father, Gerald Grosvenor. On the time, Hugh was once simply 25.
Regardless of his age, Hugh turned into the seventh Duke of Westminster and assumed accountability for an in depth portfolio that spans top actual property throughout 60 nations.
The circle of relatives’s assets holdings come with over 1,500 constructions international. In London, the Grosvenor Team owns massive portions of Mayfair and Belgravia, together with high-profile belongings just like the Beaumont Resort and the freehold of the American Embassy.
Out of doors the capital, the circle of relatives owns the 11,000-acre Eaton Property in Cheshire, the Abbeystead Property in Lancashire, and further land in Scotland and Spain.
Managed wealth
Whilst Hugh is ceaselessly known as a billionaire, a lot of his wealth is held in a sequence of circle of relatives trusts, that have been established a long time in the past. This construction prevents anyone circle of relatives member from promoting off primary belongings with out approval.
This style of wealth preservation isn’t unusual amongst aristocratic households and is designed to verify the longevity of the property.
As one property making plans skilled famous: “He is also the Duke, however he doesn’t have a clean cheque. It’s a totally trendy means.”
Lifestyles clear of the highlight
Regardless of the huge fortune hooked up to his title, Hugh has controlled to deal with a quite low profile. He studied agriculture at Newcastle College and has labored on the sustainability company Bio-Bean, which recycles espresso grounds into biofuels.
He reportedly nonetheless spends a lot of his time on the circle of relatives property in Cheshire and is claimed to be hands-on in the case of day by day tasks.
Shut buddies have ceaselessly described him as modest, grounded and tired of the normal trappings of wealth.
Dating with Olivia Grosvenor
Hugh’s engagement to Olivia was once introduced in 2023. The couple were given married at Chester Cathedral in June 2024.
Olivia, who has a background within the sustainable meals trade, has reportedly fitted smartly into the Grosvenor circle of relatives. The couple showed previous this yr that they’re anticipating their first kid.
This subsequent step of their private lives marks an important second for the circle of relatives, and hypothesis has already begun about how their kid will probably be raised – specifically given the duke’s efforts to steer a quite non-public and level-headed existence.
Ties to the royal circle of relatives
The Duke’s connection to the royal circle of relatives is going past standing. He’s one in all Prince George’s godparents and has remained with regards to Prince William and Princess Kate through the years.
Hugh’s overdue father, Gerald, was once a long-time good friend of King Charles and often attended royal occasions. The circle of relatives stays firmly embedded in royal circles, with Hugh often attending private and non-private events.
What the long run holds
As one of the crucial youngest and wealthiest aristocrats in Britain, all eyes are on Hugh as he prepares for fatherhood and a long run that can see him play an more and more public position.
However for now, it kind of feels the Duke is interested in his rising circle of relatives and keeping up the legacy constructed over 900 years.
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are anticipated to welcome their first kid later this yr.