Whispers are circulating through royal and social circles. Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is reportedly considering Prince William and Prince Harry to be godparents for his new baby daughter.
The Duke, who is 34 years old, is "still considering" whether to ask Harry, 40, according to a report published by The Times of London on Saturday, August 16. Sources close to Grosvenor and his wife, Olivia Henson, have stated that a "final decision has not yet been made" regarding the godparents for their child.
It seems Prince William, 43, will also likely be named a godfather. This isn’t a surprise. William and his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, previously chose Grosvenor as a godfather for their son, Prince George, who is now 12.
A New Royal Arrival
This speculation comes after Hugh and Olivia joyfully welcomed their first child in July. They shared the happy news with Hello! in an official statement. Their daughter’s name is Cosima Florence Grosvenor, and she was born in London. The statement confirmed that both the Duchess and Cosima are doing well. The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to this special time together as a family.
News of Olivia’s pregnancy became public in March. At the time, a spokesperson for the couple announced that the Duchess was expecting a baby in the summer. The couple was "delighted" by the news and very eager to start their family. Hugh and Olivia exchanged vows in June 2024. Hugh inherited his title as Duke eight years ago, after his father, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, passed away in 2016.
Ties That Bind (And Break)
Grosvenor holds close connections to the British royal family. He is a godson of King Charles III. Hugh and Prince William have been close friends for many years. William even served as an usher at Hugh and Olivia’s wedding.
William attended the wedding alone. His wife, Kate, 43, was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She had revealed her diagnosis in January. Prince Harry, another long-time friend of Hugh, did not attend the wedding. His absence was reportedly due to ongoing family issues.
Harry and William have been estranged since 2020. That was the year Harry moved from England to California. He and his wife, Meghan Markle, also stepped back from their duties as active senior royals.
A source close to the royals shared insights on the brothers’ strained bond. They told a prominent news outlet in a June report that Harry’s departure left a "big hole" for William. This was true not only personally, but also in terms of their public roles. The original plan was for Harry and William to work side-by-side. They were meant to share responsibilities during William’s reign. The source added that William feels "abandoned" by his brother, though he would never say it publicly.
Neither Harry nor William has spoken openly about their reported disagreement.