Prince William may soon receive an exciting new title following a joyful announcement from a close friend.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Westminster revealed that the couple is expecting their first child. Given William’s strong ties to the family, there is a high chance he will take on a significant role.
In a statement, the spokesperson shared, “The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce that the Duchess is expecting a baby this summer. They are overjoyed and eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child.”
Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster, shares a close friendship with Prince William and is also the godfather to his eldest son, Prince George. Additionally, King Charles is Hugh’s godfather, and Hugh’s mother, Natalia, is one of William’s godparents.
Given these strong family connections, it seems very likely that William will be asked to be the godfather of Hugh and Olivia’s first child. William also played an important role at their wedding on June 7, 2024, serving as an usher at the ceremony held at Chester Cathedral. Reports suggested that Prince Harry had also been invited but declined due to ongoing tensions with William.
Despite the rift between the brothers, Hugh is believed to be one of the few people who remains close to both William and Harry.
He is also the godfather of Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie.
Hugh, 34, inherited the title of Duke of Westminster and control of the Grosvenor Estate—then valued at approximately £9 billion—after his father’s passing in 2016. His current net worth is estimated at £10.6 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest billionaires in the world.
Hugh assumed the title despite having two older sisters, as British peerage law follows the tradition of male primogeniture, meaning titles can only be passed down through the male line. As a result, if Hugh and Olivia’s first child is a daughter, she will not inherit the Westminster title, estate, or family fortune. Instead, she would be given the courtesy title of Lady, whereas a firstborn son would be titled Earl Grosvenor until he becomes the Duke.
This rule previously affected Hugh himself, as he inherited the title over his two older sisters, Lady Tamara and Lady Edwina Grosvenor. When their father, Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster, passed away in 2016, the dukedom was passed to Hugh, the third child but only son.
Lady Tamara, who married Prince William’s close friend Edward van Cutsem in 2004, has three children: Jake, Louis, and Isla van Cutsem. Lady Edwina wed historian and TV presenter Dan Snow in 2010 and also has three children: Zia, Wolf, and Orla.
The youngest of the Grosvenor sisters, Lady Viola, married Dragoon Guards officer Angus Roberts in a private wedding, later celebrating with a gathering in Kenya.
