The Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson are celebrating their first anniversary today as the couple married on June 7, 2024. The picture-perfect ceremony took place in Chester Cathedral and 400 guests attended the nuptials, including the Prince of Wales.
Olivia, the now 7th Duchess of Westminster, 32, accessorised her bespoke Emma Victoria Payne gown, with a Fabergé Myrtle Leaf tiara from the Grosvenor family’s private collection, which is thought to be worth an eye-watering £1.5million.
Founder of Abelini jewellery, Nilesh Rakholia, told Hello! Magazine: “This is one of those pieces where value becomes almost irrelevant. You’re dealing with a Fabergé tiara, one of only a handful known to exist, owned by one of Britain’s most established families.”
They added: “If it ever went to auction, you’d probably see a figure upwards of £1.5 million, maybe more. However, its worth lies in what it represents: a century of family tradition, exceptional craftsmanship, and the kind of romantic legacy you can’t put a price on.”
Speaking about the fine details of the tiara, the expert said: “It looks to most likely use old European cuts and possibly rose cuts for the finer details. The leaves are mounted in silver, which would’ve been the metal of choice for enhancing the brightness of diamonds at that time.”
He added: “The stalks are made from engraved red gold, probably 14 carat, and shaped to mimic the structure of real myrtle branches. It’s not just jewellery, a piece like this is art, like a sculpture. The level of detail, especially for something made in 1906, is remarkable.”
The Grosvenor family tiara was also worn by Olivia’s sister-in-law Lady Tamara on her and Edward van Cutsem’s wedding day in 2004, and has been worn by generations of Grosvenor brides for over 100 years.
One of the most iconic tiaras, the Cartier Halo, worn by the Princess of Wales on her wedding day in 2011 should not be compared to the one worn by Olivia, the expert said.
He explained: “The Fabergé Myrtle Tiara feels far more intimate. It’s romantic, it’s symbolic, and it has a softness that reflects its purpose. One was made for public display, the other for private legacy. When it comes to symbolism and heritage, the Fabergé piece is in a different league altogether.”
The Duke was named the UK’s wealthiest person under 40 for the second year running in the Sunday Times Rich List last year. He inherited his fortune after the death of his father Gerald aged 64 in 2016.
In London, the Grosvenor Group owns large parts of Mayfair and Belgravia, including high-profile assets like the Beaumont Hotel and the freehold of the American Embassy.
Outside the capital, the family owns the 11,000-acre Eaton Estate in Cheshire, the Abbeystead Estate in Lancashire, and additional land in Scotland and Spain.
The wedding dress worn by Olivia on her wedding day was custom-embroidered to include references to the one worn by the bride’s great-grandmother in 1880.
Hugh also looked dapper in a black long-tail coat, a black waistcoat, grey pin-striped trousers, a white and light blue shirt and a pink tie which featured dragonflies.
Hugh and Olivia were introduced by mutual friends in 2021 and dated for over two years before he proposed in April 2023.
The ceremony was officiated by The Dean of Chester, the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, with The Bishop of Chester, the Right Revd Mark Tanner, preaching, according to a statement released by the couple.
