Britain's third richest man The Duke of Westminster dies of a heart attack aged 64 - leaving his £9billion fortune to his 25-year-old son

  • Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6th Duke, was the third richest Briton - worth an estimated £9 billion
  • He has suddenly died aged 64 at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire on Tuesday night
  • It is understood the father-of-four had a heart attack at his shooting estate 
  • His son, Hugh Grosvenor, who is Prince George's godfather will inherit the entire estate at the age of just 25


    • The Duke of Westminster - the third richest Briton - died suddenly last night at the age of 64.
    It is understood the father-of-four, worth an estimated £9 billion, had a heart attack at Abbeystead House in Lancashire, his grouse shooting estate.
    Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6th Duke, is the richest property developer in the UK, whose vast wealth comes from estates in Oxford, Cheshire, and Scotland as well as huge swathes of Mayfair and Belgravia.
    His tragic death means that his son Hugh will now inherit the entire estate, including the family seat in Cheshire, Eaton Hall, at the age of just 25.
    The Duke of Westminster (pictured with the Queen in November 2004) became suddenly ill at Abbeystead House in Lancashire, his grouse shooting estate, on Tuesday and later died aged 64 at Royal Preston Hospital, also located in Lancashire
    The Duke of Westminster (pictured with the Queen in November 2004) became suddenly ill at Abbeystead House in Lancashire, his grouse shooting estate, on Tuesday and later died aged 64 at Royal Preston Hospital, also located in Lancashire


    Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6th Duke,  was described by friends as a shy man who was 'rich but not grand' and very much a product of his upbringing in rural Ireland. He is pictured here in 2015
    Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6th Duke,  was described by friends as a shy man who was 'rich but not grand' and very much a product of his upbringing in rural Ireland. He is pictured here in 2015


    The Duke's death means that his son Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor (left, pictured with his mother, Natalia at a wedding in June 2013)  will now inherit the entire estate at the age of just 25 
    The Duke's death means that his son Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor (left, pictured with his mother, Natalia at a wedding in June 2013)  will now inherit the entire estate at the age of just 25

    The Duke And Duchess Of Westminster with their newborn son, Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor, in 1991
    The Duke And Duchess Of Westminster with their newborn son, Hugh Richard Louis Grosvenor, in 1991


    A spokesman for the family said tonight: 'It is with the greatest sadness that we can confirm that the Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor (64) died this afternoon at Royal Preston Hospital. 
    'He was taken there from the Abbeystead Estate in Lancashire where he had suddenly been taken ill.
    'His family are all aware and they ask for privacy and understanding at this very difficult time.
    'No further comment will be made for the time being but further information will follow in due course.' 
    A senior royal source told the Mail that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Prince Charles and other senior royals, had been informed. 
    A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: 'Her Majesty the Queen is aware of the news about the Duke of Westminster. 
    'A private message of condolence is being sent from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the family.' 
    It is understood the Duke, worth an estimated £9 billion, had a heart attack at Abbeystead House in Lancashire (pictured)
    It is understood the Duke, worth an estimated £9 billion, had a heart attack at Abbeystead House in Lancashire (pictured)

    The Duke, pictured arriving at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in 2003, wasn't meant to inherit the title – he had always intended to be a beef farmer – but after his uncle died without heirs, his father, Robert, inherited the title and his life was laid out before him
    The Duke, pictured arriving at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in 2003, wasn't meant to inherit the title – he had always intended to be a beef farmer – but after his uncle died without heirs, his father, Robert, inherited the title and his life was laid out before him


    The Duke, with Prince Charles in 2011 in Newcastle, was a confidante and close friend of many senior royals. Prince Charles asked him to become a private mentor and guide to a young Prince William, who in turn asked Gerald's son, Hugh, to be godfather to his own first born, Prince George 
    The Duke, with Prince Charles in 2011 in Newcastle, was a confidante and close friend of many senior royals. Prince Charles asked him to become a private mentor and guide to a young Prince William, who in turn asked Gerald's son, Hugh, to be godfather to his own first born, Prince George


    The 6th Duke of Westminster was pictured next to his wife Natalia at St Paul's Cathedral in June this year
    The 6th Duke of Westminster was pictured next to his wife Natalia at St Paul's Cathedral in June this year


    The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are 'deeply shocked and greatly saddened' by the sudden death of their friend the Duke of Westminster, a Clarence House spokeswoman said. 
    Gerald and his wife, Natalia, godmother to Prince William, have three daughters as well as their son: Lady Tamara, married to one of Prince William's best friends, Edward van Cutsem, 36; Lady Edwina, 34, married to television presenter and historian Dan Snow; and 23-year-old Lady Viola.
    A confidante and close friend of many senior royals, Prince Charles asked him to become a private mentor and guide to a young Prince William, who in turn asked Gerald's son Hugh to be godfather to his own first born, Prince George.
    William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Prince Harry, are regular visitors to Grosvenor properties including their boar hunting lodge in Spain, and earlier this month the couple used his private Cessna jet to fly to France for their summer holiday.
    He is pictured here with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, at the Royal Windsor Horse show on May 16, 2016
    He is pictured here with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, at the Royal Windsor Horse show on May 16, 2016


    Gerald Grosvenor (pictured in September 2012) was passionate about helping those less fortunate than him, working for many years with young offenders and drug abusers as well as campaigning on rural issues 
    Gerald Grosvenor (pictured in September 2012) was passionate about helping those less fortunate than him, working for many years with young offenders and drug abusers as well as campaigning on rural issues

    The Duke, pictured with actress Elizabeth Hurley at Chester Zoo, was an  'introspective' man, friends say, and one who was lonely in many ways
    The Duke, pictured with actress Elizabeth Hurley at Chester Zoo, was an  'introspective' man, friends say, and one who was lonely in many ways

    Gerald was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order – a personal gift of the Queen – in 2012, in addition to being a Knight of Garter and a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was also an executor of Princess Diana's will.

    Comments

    1. About Innocent MoweteAugust 10, 2016 8:41 am

      that young man at 25 will be worth so much. i pray he is able to live with the pressure of controlling such wealth

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. AnonymousAugust 10, 2016 12:48 pm

        God is on his side, he wont missuse the wealth..

        Delete

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