WEDDING DRESS FIT FOR A DUCHESS

A year after Olivia Henson tied the knot with the Duke of Westminster, bridal designer Emma Victoria Payne opens up about creating her fairytale gown

- KATIE DALY

Stepping out of a vintage Bentley, blue velvet Silvia Lago heels first, the soon-to-be tenth Duchess of Westminster arrived at Chester Cathedral to the sound of cheers as she prepared to marry the man once dubbed Britain’s most eligible bachelor.

Her exquisite veil blowing in the wind, the bride beamed, taking the arm of her father, banker Rupert Henson, as she walked inside.

It was the society wedding of 2024, when Olivia Henson and Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster, married on 7 June.

Having inherited his title and control of the Grosvenor estate — now worth an estimated £10.6bn and including 300 acres of land in London’s Mayfair and Belgravia - from his father in 2016, the Duke put on a grand affair to celebrate the couple’s union.

The Prince of Wales - a long-term friend of Hugh, 34, who is godfather to William’s eldest son Prince George and himself a godson of the King — was among the 400 guests who arrived at the cathedral in style, along with his cousin Princess Eugenie.

Also present were Rosie and William van Cutsem, whose daughter Grace was one of the then Kate Middleton's flower girls when she married Prince William in 2011.

FOND MEMORIES

Emma Victoria Payne, who designed 32-year-old Olivia's gown and whose bridal atelier EVP is in London's Knightsbridge, remembers last year's wedding as though it were yesterday.

“I was so honoured to be part of their special day,” Emma, 41, exclusively tells HELLO!. “A gust of wind took us by surprise and added to the atmosphere. It was an incredible day and it was amazing to see Olivia's stunning entrance.”