Prince William is performing his duties as an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s marriage to Olivia Henson today.
The Prince of Wales was pictured waving to the cameras as he arrived for the service at Chester Cathedral.
But his brother Harry, also one Hugh Grosvenor’s closest friends, was not in attendance, choosing to remain in California instead.
An insider this week said it would have been ‘difficult’ for Harry to attend, and the decision for him not to come was a ‘understanding between the two friends’.
The Duke of Westminster is the godfather to William’s son Prince George and Harry’s son Archie.
Prince William arriving at the society wedding of the year in Chester for his close friend
Prince William, who was an usher at the ceremony, and William van Cutsem after the wedding of Olivia and his old friend Hugh
Hugh and Olivia smile and wave at the crowd after their wedding at Chester Cathedral today
The Duke, Hugh Grosvenor, arriving at his wedding where Prince William will be an usher
The 7th Duke, 33, as a young boy with an impish grin on his face next to lifelong friend William
The wedding is set to see 400 guests attend and has been highly anticipated for months amongst society circles.
Olivia, 31, looked stunning in her wedding dress and blue shoes as she arrived at the 11th Century Cathedral just before midday.
The bespoke embroidery design on her gown and veil was hand drawn by Emma Victoria Payne, featuring floral motifs and edgings from Olivia’s great great grandmother’s veil from around 1880.
The bride is wearing the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day.
It has been in the Grosvenor family since its creation in 1906. Olivia’s bouquet was made of flowers picked from the gardens of the duke’s family home, Eaton Hall.
Princes Harry has agreed to stay away after the publishing of his memoir Spare made damning allegations about the Royal Family.
Prince William and the Duke as a young boy at the wedding of Edward van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor
Princess Eugenie is among the many guests to have arrived at the event, while the Princess of Wales- who has been out the spotlight as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy – was not expected to attend.
Shortly before 11am, coachloads and minibuses of excited guests began arriving and filing into the side door of the Cathedral.
As they rounded the corner, many smiled and waved back to the crowds lining the streets, who were cheering their arrival.
William, dressed like others in morning suit, smiled as he exited a black minibus to head towards the building.
Guests joined the long queue snaking into the Cathedral, waiting to be shown to their seats by Prince William and the other ushers.
More live updated about the ceremony can be read on the MailOnline’s live blog here.
Olivia Henson has arrived for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral
The Duke of Westminster and his bridge Olivia leaving Chester Cathedral after their wedding today
