Prince William and Harry 'caught up in problem' over godfather title with pal Hugh Grosvenor
Hugh is a close childhood friend of both William and Harry
Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is reportedly facing a sensitive choice: whether to name both Prince William and Prince Harry godfathers to his newborn daughter Cosima, despite their reported rift.
Hugh, 34, and his wife, Olivia, welcomed their first child in July.
Now, insiders claim that the duke is deciding whether to name Prince Harry as godfather alongside Prince William, who has already been tipped for the role.
Hugh Grosvenor ‘facing dilemma’ over godfather title
Known affectionately as “Hughie” to friends, the billionaire aristocrat is close to both royal brothers, having known them since childhood.
He is also godfather to both of their eldest sons: Prince George and Prince Archie.
But the once-strong bond between William and Harry has fractured beyond recognition in recent years, complicating what might otherwise be a sentimental gesture of friendship.
The Sunday Times claims that the Duke of Westminster may face the “problem” of only getting to choose one of the brothers. It claims that Hugh and Olivia may well be “asking themselves what will Harry be able to bring to the party as a godparent that William can’t”.
When Hugh and Olivia wed at Chester Cathedral in June 2024, Prince William played a prominent role as an usher.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, were invited but did not attend. This decision was reportedly made to avoid any drama between the Sussexes and the royal family overshadowing the couple’s big day.
Royal Insider has contacted reps for the Duke of Westminster for comment.
Prince Harry and Prince William ‘rift’
It’s believed that Harry and William are not on speaking terms. After Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, it’s said the brothers’ relationship has fractured further.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tell-all interviews, 2022 Netflix series, and Harry’s memoir Spare have only widened the gap.
The brothers have reportedly not spoken since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022, despite appearing briefly together in public during the mourning period.
Harry has returned to the UK only a handful of times since.
In a BBC interview in May, Harry appeared to extend an olive branch.
“There is no point continuing to fight any more,” he said. “I would love a reconciliation. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me.”
Including both brothers as godfathers could be seen as an attempt to mend fences. But it also risks drawing unwanted attention to the ceremony for the wrong reasons. But could Hugh and Olivia ruffle feathers by only having one of the brothers as godfather?
No date has yet been confirmed for Cosima’s christening. Both Harry and William are said to have privately congratulated the couple on the birth.
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