Olivia Henson is a bridal beauty in Emma Victoria Payne gown containing a nod to her ancestors and a tiara from the Duke of Westminster's family vault as she seals her marriage with a kiss for the crowds
Olivia Henson looked the epitome of a beautiful bride as she married her groom, the Duke of Westminster, at Chester Cathedral today.
Following their society wedding of the year, the Duchess and her billionaire husband Hugh Grosvenor shared a sweet kiss in front of the crowds - gathered in their hundreds - outside of the cathedral.
Olivia, 31, appeared ethereal in a bespoke gown by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne, teamed with a veil and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day.
The tiara has been in groom Hugh Grosvenor's family since its creation in 1906, while the bride's stunning dress and veil featured floral motifs and edgings from Olivia’s great great grandmother’s veil from around 1880.
Olivia - whose veil seemed to have a mind of its own at one point, flying around in the wind uncontrollably - also nodded to the traditional 'something blue' for brides with a subtle nod in her footwear as she sported teal velvet block heels.
Guests to the historic wedding included Prince William, who acted as an usher for his old friend, the 7th Duke, 33, universally known as 'Hughie' to aristocratic friends, and Princess Eugenie.
Introducing the husband and wife! The Duke of Westminster and his bride Olivia following their wedding at Chester Cathedral
A kiss for the bride! The coupe share a sweet peck after their wedding ceremony today
Olivia Henson looked the epitome of a beautiful bride as she arrived at Chester Cathedral this morning to marry her groom, the Duke of Westminster
The bride's veil appeared to have a mind of its own as it flew around in the wind upon Olivia's arrival
Olivia also nodded to the traditional 'something blue' for brides with a subtle nod in her footwear as she sported teal velvet block heels
The bride couldn't stop smiling as she arrived for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral
The soon-to-be Duchess, 31, wowed the crowds - gathered in their hundreds - as her father, Rupert Henson, joined her as she walked towards her wedding
Olivia's stunning bridal dress featured a partly open back as she arrived at Chester Cathedral
The Duke of Westminster is estimated to be worth £10.42billion, making him the richest man under 40 in Britain.
He is the godfather to William's son Prince George and Prince Harry's son Archie. But while William played a major role at the service among 400 or so expected guests, Harry has remained in California.
As she arrived at the cathedral for the historic wedding, the bride was accompanied by wedding dress designer Emma Victoria Payne, who carried her train in a sweet moment.
To complete her elegant ensemble, Olivia carried a bouquet of flowers, picked from the gardens of Eaton Hall, the Duke's ancestral home.
They comprised Meadow grass, Ox eye daisies, Iris, Rose, Clematis, Mock orange, Scabious, Sweet pea, Astrantia, Martagon lily and Love in a mist.
Her dress - constructed in ivory silk crepe satin and organza - featured a scalloped edge neckline with a delicate bespoke hand appliquéd embroidery comprising of floral and leafy motifs.
It also boasted a sleek silhouette with a bias cut skirt, pleated waistband, gathered sleeves, wide embroidered silk organza cuffs with a scalloped edge repeat motif and button detailing.
The back of the bridal gown featured a dropped waist, key hole back and a detachable two metre silk crepe satin train with a panelled construction.
On the veil, meanwhile, personalised initials and wedding date completed the design in the centre back.
The veil blew in the wind, prompting gasps from the crowd, as the elegant bride entered the cathedral.
The city of Chester, 14 minutes' drive from Eaton Hall, has largely come to a standstill to celebrate the couple's big day - with a host of high-profile attendees, including Prince William.
The wedding, which saw around 400 guests attend from the cream of high society, was led by the Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford.
Hugh and Olivia smile and wave at the crowd after their wedding at Chester Cathedral today
The bride's dress featured a cinched waist and a scalloped neckline as well as lace detailing on the sleeves
The Duke and Duchess seal their marriage with a sweet kiss after their wedding ceremony
The bride's dazzling tiara featured leaf detailing, while her hair was styled into an elegant up-do
A bridesmaid and wedding dress designer Emma Victoria Payne struggle to keep Olivia's veil down in the wind
The bride looked ethereal in a bespoke gown by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne
The bride's outfit was completed with a veil and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day
Olivia Henson in her wedding dress outside the Cathedral for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor
Olivia looked stunning as she arrived for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster today
The bridge smiled in her wedding dress before walking into the Cathedral to marry the Duke of Westminster
Olivia walking through the stunning flower arch displayed on the entrance to the Cathedral
Olivia arrives for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral today
Olivia holds flowers as she enters Chester Cathedral for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster
The bride looked ethereal in the white gown complete with flower motifs, plus a veil, as she entered the cathedral
The bride's dazzling tiara has been in groom Hugh Grosvenor's family since its creation in 1906
The bride's stunning dressand veil featured floral motifs and edgings from Olivia’s great great grandmother’s veil from around 1880
The veil blew in the wind, prompting gasps from the crowd, as the bride entered the cathedral
Bride Olivia Henson arrived at the cathedral wearing a dress and veil designed by Emma Victoria Payne
The bride stands in her wedding dress before entering the Cathedral in Cheshire
Olivia Henson arrives at her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster
Olivia stops and smiles at the crowds before heading inside the Cathedral to marry the Duke of Westminster
The bespoke embroidery design on her gown and veil was hand drawn by Emma Victoria Payne
Olivia arrives in a vintage Bentley for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster
Olivia just before arriving at Chester Cathedral for her wedding to the Duke of Westminster
Olivia's bouquet was made of flowers picked from the gardens of the duke's family home, Eaton Hall
The bride wore blue shoes with her wedding dress to marry the Duke of Westminster
Olivia Henson arrives for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral
Olivia opted to make her shoes the 'something blue' at her wedding, which she paired with pink and purple flowers
The bride (pictured) sported a glamorous makeup look to complete her elegant ensemble
Adding even more glitz to her outfit, the Duchess sported a pair of dazzling pearl drop earrings
Olivia was left beaming as she walked towards her wedding venue alongside her father
The bride's flowers comprised Meadow grass, Ox eye daisies, Iris, Rose, Clematis, Mock orange, Scabious, Sweet pea, Astrantia, Martagon lily and Love in a mist
Music was performed by the Chester Cathedral Choir and included three local young choristers Grace Crook, Isla Mills and Cassie Lounds, who all attend The Queen’s School in Chester.
The pair are due to return to their country pile after the ceremony for a private wedding reception; lavish Eaton Estate has been home to the Duke's family since the 1400s.
There has been no expense spared for the couple's big day; the stunning car that the bride arrived in this morning with her father, Rupert Henson, was originally made for W.O. Bentley, the founder of Bentley Motors, in 1930.
And the flowers, all 100 per cent British, have been carefully chosen from local growers through the Flowers from the Farm network, which champions artisan growers.
The groom, Hugh Grosvenor (left), arriving at Chester Cathedral for his wedding to Olivia Henson
Prince William, pictured right, at the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster to Olivia Henson
Princess Eugenie (pictured) arriving at the cathedral for the wedding of Hugh and Olivia
Hugh smiles and waves as he arrives at the cathedral in Cheshire to wed Olivia
Speaking ahead of the wedding, a spokesperson for the Duke and Miss Henson said they were thrilled to wed so close to the Eaton Estate, saying: 'It means a lot to them to marry in Chester Cathedral, especially given the Grosvenor family’s long and close personal connection to both the Cathedral and the city of Chester.
The spokesperson added: 'The Duke and Miss Henson have taken a great deal of care in planning the wedding, putting their own personal stamp on all the arrangements and have made a conscious effort to involve local and regional suppliers in several aspects of the day.'
The 7th Duke of Westminster, 33, universally known as 'Hughie' to aristocratic friends, is estimated to be worth £10.42billion, making him the richest man under 40 in Britain.
He is the godfather to Prince William's son Prince George and Prince Harry's son Archie. Harry will not be in attendance at today's nuptials.
Bride Olivia, who went to Marlborough College, like the Princess of Wales and Princess Eugenie, is senior account manager at Belazu, an environmentally friendly company which imports chef-quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients.
Hugh has increasingly started to initiate various eco-friendly practices, including renewable energy projects, green building codes and biodiversity conservation efforts.
It is likely to be a green event as both Hugh and Olivia are eco minded, and it is understood that flowers used at the ceremony and reception will be pressed and made into sustainable artworks afterwards, rather than simply being thrown away.
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.
Harry, who would have been expected to attend today's service, has chosen instead to stay in California.
Photos from this morning show excited royal fans forming a crowd outside the cathedral ahead of the Church of England ceremony starting at midday.
Olivia Henson arrives to wed the billionaire Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral for the society wedding of the year with Prince William as usher and Princess Eugenie leading a host of very glam aristocratic guests
Olivia Henson has arrived at her society wedding of the year to the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral.
Prince William, who is an usher at the ceremony, was cheered on by onlookers as he appeared at the Cathedral in Cheshire for the nuptials of his old friend Hugh Grosvenor.
The 7th Duke, 33, universally known as 'Hughie' to aristocratic friends, is estimated to be worth £10.42billion, making him the richest man under 40 in Britain.
He is the godfather to William's son Prince George and Prince Harry's son Archie. But while William is playing a major role at the service among 400 or so expected guests, Harry has remained in California.
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.
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.
Olivia is getting wed to the Duke of Westminster at Chester Cathedral today
The bridesmaids arrive for the Wedding of The Duke of Westminster to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral
The groom, Hugh Grosvenor (left), arriving at Chester Cathedral for his wedding to Olivia Henson
Prince William arriving at the Duke of Westminster's society wedding to Olivia
Princess Eugenie walking to the cathedral in Cheshire today before the ceremony
The Duke 33, will wed Olivia Henson, 31, (pictured) in Cheshire today
Hugh smiles and waves as he arrives at the cathedral in Cheshire to wed Olivia
Charles van Straubenzee and his wife Daisy Jenks arrive at Chester Cathedral ahead of the wedding
Thomas Van Straubenzee and wife arrive for the ceremony today
The grooms mother, Natalia Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster (left), arriving at the ceremony
Charlie Gilkes and his wife Anneke arriving at the cathedral for the society wedding of the year today
Guests arriving at Chester Cathedral in Cheshire for the wedding
Guests arrive for the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral
More guests arriving at the society wedding of the year between Hugh and Olivia
A vehicle pulls up outside the cathedral ahead of the ceremony
Crowds gather outside Chester Cathedral for the Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson's wedding today
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.
Harry, who would have been expected to attend today's service, has chosen instead to stay in California.
Miss Henson arrived at the Cathedral just before noon in a vintage 1930 8-litre Bentley owned by the Grosvenor estate.
After the ceremony finishes around 1pm guests will enjoy a lavish reception with a lemon wedding cake at the Grosvenor family seat, Eaton Hall, just outside Chester.
The Duke will pay for free ice cream, gelato and sorbet for Cheshire locals from three local independent cafes so they can join in the celebration.
Photos from this morning show excited royal fans forming a crowd outside the cathedral ahead of the Church of England ceremony starting at midday.
The fans have been gathering since 6am this morning, hours before the ceremony is due to start.
Maths tutor Catherina Rhodes, 59, of Chester, said: 'It's an exciting day. I have always loved the royal family especially the Queen.
'I was taken down to Buckingham Palace when I was aged six.
'My uncle worked at the stables and helped teach the Queen to ride. Since then I was entranced by the royal family.'
She added: 'It's great for the city.'
Pharmaceutical trainer Helen Jackson, 55, said: 'I went for a drink in the Grosvenor hotel last night and saw Princess Eugenie having a drink.
'So I know she's going to be here today.
'It's fabulous for [...] Chester.
'I came to see the royals when the Queen and Megan Markle came here just before.'
Pensioner Ann Beck arrived at 8am. She said: 'I wanted to come to support the family as they are from Chester and of course the royals.'
A staggering 100,000 flowers have been planted throughout the city - all paid for by the Duke - which will be donated to charity following the ceremony.
Prince William (right) and Hugh Grosvenor (left) attending the 2004 wedding of Edward van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral
Hugh is godfather to Prince Williams's son Prince George and Prince Harry's son Archie. Harry will not attend the wedding
A woman dresses up in wedding attire and a Union Jack scarf outside the cathedral
Crowds gather outside Chester Cathedral for the wedding today
A general view of police and well-wishers as they line the street near the cathedral
Police outside Chester Cathedral before the wedding this afternoon
Well-wishers line the street ahead of the wedding today
Police officers outside the cathedral in Cheshire today ahead of the ceremony
Crowds gather outside Chester Cathedral for the society wedding starting at midday
A general view of Chester Cathedral ahead of the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson
Police vans in Chester Cathedral, where the wedding ceremony will take place
The Duke will pay for free ice cream for locals from three local businesses. Pictured left to right: Craig Fermor from Diddy Donuts, Valentina Aviotti from Krum Gelato and Stephen Young from Cheshire Farm Ice Cream
Scores of boxes of flowers were delivered to the cathedral by a fleet of vans
A large security cordon will be erected around the cathedral due to the presence of so many high profile guests. Pictured: Sniffer dogs in Chester
A workman carries a bundle of chairs through the garden at Chester Cathedral
Temporary scaffolding was also erected near the cathedral as workers trim plants
This week a floral arch was constructed around the huge West Door of the 1,000-year-old Cathedral in the heart of the city.
On a road into the city near the entrance to the Grosvenor Hospital, staff dressed a pair of mannequins in suit and wedding dress with photos of Hugh and Olivia's faces attached.
Given the presence of the heir to the throne at the event, security precautions have also been in evidence, with detectives seen chatting with local Cheshire Police officers outside the Cathedral this week.
Police sniffer dogs were seen checking drains around the precincts of the building for any traces of explosives.
Eaton Hall, a mock French chateau set in 10,872 acres of Cheshire (50 acres of which is elaborate formal gardens) is where the couple intend to live after they are married, and is the perfect place for a party.
Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, based in the heart of Chester Market, will be offering a range of Cheshire Farm single-scoop ice-creams or slices of a new lemon-sponge flavoured arctic roll.
The lemon-flavoured arctic roll has been specially created in acknowledgement of The Duke and Olivia's lemon-flavoured wedding cake that guests will be served at the wedding reception.
Ed Warrington, owner of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream outlets, said: 'As a local business we're delighted to be part of The Duke and Olivia's initiative to provide free ice cream to the public in celebration of their wedding.
'All at Cheshire Farm Ice Cream wish them the very best for their wedding day.'
The couple have been scrupulous about not giving away details of the reception and 'we have also been asked not to do any social media posting when we get there', said a guest.
