Meet the UK's richest millennial, the Duke of Westminster, who's worth more than $12 billion

Lydia WarrenJun 14, 2023, 22:53 IST

Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, in 2018.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Hugh Grosvenor, who's worth $12.5 billion, was just named the richest person under 35 in the UK.
King Charles III is his godfather, and he is godfather to Prince William's son, Prince George.

You might never have heard of Hugh Grosvenor, nor seen his photo.

But at just 25, Grosvenor inherited the title of the Duke of Westminster and an extensive, international real-estate portfolio. Now 32, he is the richest person under 35 in the UK, worth £9.878 billion, or approximately $12.5 million, the Times of London reported in May.

Despite his extraordinary wealth and royal connections — he's the godson of King Charles III and a godfather to Prince George — the duke enjoys a relatively under-the-radar existence, overseeing his family's estate and charitable work, competing in skeet-shooting competitions, and planning his upcoming wedding.

Here's a closer look at Britain's richest millennial.

The 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, was recently named the UK's richest person under the age of 35 by the Times of London. He is worth £9.878 billion, or $12.5 billion.

Hugh Grosvenor.STRMX2 / Ap Images

The 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, was recently named the UK's richest person under the age of 35 by the Times of London. He is worth £9.878 billion, or $12.5 billion.

He was just 25 when he inherited his wealth and title from his father, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, who died suddenly in 2016.

Gerald Grosvenor pictured in May 2016, just a few months before his death, with Prince Philip.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Their title goes back to 1874. The 1st Duke of Westminster, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, was friends with Queen Victoria.

1st Duke of Westminster, circa 1870.W. & D. Downey/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Grosvenor was born on January 29, 1991, to Gerald Grosvenor and his wife, Natalia. He was known as Earl Grosvenor.

The Duke and Duchess of Westminster with their new baby boy, Hugh, leaving St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, in 1991.API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Although he has two older sisters, Grosvenor went on to inherit the title of duke and the family estates thanks to an 11th-century tradition that names the first-born son as heir.

The Duke of Westminster, circled right, and his sisters at Ed Van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor's wedding in 2004.Marc Stanes/Grosvenor Estates via Getty Images

Although he has two older sisters, Grosvenor went on to inherit the title of duke and the family estates thanks to an 11th-century tradition that names the first-born son as heir.

Despite the family's extraordinary wealth, Grosvenor's parents reportedly wanted him to have an upbringing that was as normal as possible, and he attended local schools.

Hugh Grosvenor and Prince William at the wedding of Edward van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral on November 6, 2004.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Despite the family's extraordinary wealth, Grosvenor's parents reportedly wanted him to have an upbringing that was as normal as possible, and he attended local schools.

He attended Newcastle University and mostly kept a low profile until his 21st birthday, which reportedly cost $6.3 million and was attended by Prince Harry.

Hugh Grosvenor in 2013.John Stillwell - WPA Pool /Getty Images

In fact, Grosvenor is closely connected to the royal family. King Charles is his godfather, and he is godfather to Prince George.

Hugh Grosvenor with Prince William, right, in 2018 during the handover of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre.Oli Scarff - WPA Pool/Getty Images

As the chair of the Grosvenor Group, he now oversees the family's real-estate portfolio, which has properties in 43 cities across 10 countries, according to the Times.

Eaton Square in Belgravia, London.Chrispictures/Shutterstock

He is also chair of the family's charitable foundation, which focuses on vulnerable children, and he donated millions towards the fight against COVID-19.

Grosvenor with then-Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince William during the handover of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in 2018.Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images

He inherited the family's home in Cheshire, Eaton Hall, which sits on approximately 11,000 acres owned by the Grosvenors.

Eaton Hall in Cheshire.David Goddard/Getty Images

He represents Great Britain in skeet shooting.

Hugh Grosvenor in 2016.Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

He's known to his friends as "Hughie."

Grosvenor, Charlie van Straubenzee, and Arthur Landon attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Grosvenor recently proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Olivia Henson.

The Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, with his fiancée, Olivia Henson.Courtesy Grosvenor

A man knocked down a wall in his basement. He found an abandoned underground city that was once home to 20,000 people.

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Meet the UK's richest millennial, the Duke of Westminster, who's worth more than $12 billion

The 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, was recently named the UK's richest person under the age of 35 by the Times of London. He is worth £9.878 billion, or $12.5 billion.

He was just 25 when he inherited his wealth and title from his father, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, who died suddenly in 2016.

Their title goes back to 1874. The 1st Duke of Westminster, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, was friends with Queen Victoria.

Grosvenor was born on January 29, 1991, to Gerald Grosvenor and his wife, Natalia. He was known as Earl Grosvenor.

Although he has two older sisters, Grosvenor went on to inherit the title of duke and the family estates thanks to an 11th-century tradition that names the first-born son as heir.

Despite the family's extraordinary wealth, Grosvenor's parents reportedly wanted him to have an upbringing that was as normal as possible, and he attended local schools.

He attended Newcastle University and mostly kept a low profile until his 21st birthday, which reportedly cost $6.3 million and was attended by Prince Harry.

In fact, Grosvenor is closely connected to the royal family. King Charles is his godfather, and he is godfather to Prince George.

As the chair of the Grosvenor Group, he now oversees the family's real-estate portfolio, which has properties in 43 cities across 10 countries, according to the Times.

He is also chair of the family's charitable foundation, which focuses on vulnerable children, and he donated millions towards the fight against COVID-19.

He inherited the family's home in Cheshire, Eaton Hall, which sits on approximately 11,000 acres owned by the Grosvenors.

He represents Great Britain in skeet shooting.

He's known to his friends as "Hughie."

Grosvenor recently proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Olivia Henson.