Chester decorated with 100,000 flowers paid for by Duke Of Westminster to mark his marriage to Olivia Henson - as preparations for wedding of Britain's most eligible bachelor kick off

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Chester is out in full bloom ahead of the Duke of Westminster's wedding to Olivia Henson - dubbed the most anticipated society event of the year. 

The city is being decorated with 100,000 flowers planted in displays across the city throughout the summer, paid for by the groom himself to mark his marriage.

Afterwards, the couple will donate their wedding flowers to local charities and organisations.

Photos shared by the city's Business Improvement District on X showed the behind the scenes of setting up the stunning floral displays this week.

Snaps pictured volunteers holding onto the blossoms and distributing them around the streets.

Chester is out in full bloom ahead of the Duke of Westminster's wedding to Olivia Henson - dubbed the most anticipated society event of the year

'As part of local celebrations for their wedding, the Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson are delighted to sponsor this year’s Chester BID Flower Planting, along with a planting morning with the BID team and Chester Businesses,' the social media caption read.

'The colourful displays which feature vibrant pollinators – benefiting biodiversity as well as the amenity of the city, have now been planted and can be enjoyed across Chester high street and historic rows.'

The photos were also shared on the organisation's Instagram page. 

Hugh Grosvenor, 33, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is set to marry his fiancee Olivia, 31, next week.

Despite the grandeur of the occasion - a wedding ceremony with some 400 guests in historic Chester Cathedral and reception in the Grosvenors' vast Cheshire home, Eaton Hall, built in the style of a French chateau - the couple are approaching their big day with real equanimity.

Perhaps because of the intrigue of the event, which will see many roads between the 11,000-acre estate and the cathedral closed to traffic, they have decided to keep much of the details private.

Even the engagement ring, described modestly as 'nothing flashy', summed up this refreshingly unshowy couple.

The couple have also issued a strict 'no gifts' instruction. The wedding celebrations will also include two receptions, a main event on Friday following the cathedral service and another more intimate gathering the following day for family and close friends.

The city is being decorated with 100,000 flowers planted in displays across the city throughout the summer, paid for by the groom himself to mark his marriage

Photos shared by the city's Business Improvement District on X showed the behind the scenes of setting up the stunning floral displays this week

Other details are being kept under wraps. 

'While they appreciate the interest — and are grateful for the many kind messages they have received — they want the wedding to remain as private as possible,' says a friend of the couple. 'Chester is important to them and it means a lot to them to marry there.' 

Last month, the pair had a busy start to their wedding celebrations as they carried out a very regal string of engagements in Chester, where they are due to exchange vows in just days.

And as they visited three charities, the pair were very reminiscent of yet another couple renowned for their prowess and easy charisma during public engagements - the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Hugh and Olivia channelled William, 41, and Kate, 42, ahead of their wedding next month - the most anticipated society event of the year.

They were the mirror image of the future King and his wife, shooting easy smiles and enjoying conversations with attendees, as they made visits to Cheshire Dance, Storyhouse and the Cathedral Music Trust.

Prince George's godfather and Olivia, who works at sustainable food company Belazu, chatted with participants at a Young Leaders workshop. 

They later sat next to each other in the pews at Chester Cathedral, where their wedding will be held. 

They joined family music programme where Hugh joked: 'Next time we're in here will be slightly more nerve-wracking.' 

He added: 'But I'm unbelievably excited.'

Images showed the couple being mirror images of William and Kate, who are crowd-favourites when it comes to public engagements.

Much like the Waleses, Hugh and Olivia appeared chatty, engaging and positive. 

Snaps from today pictured volunteers holding onto the blossoms and distributing them around the streets

Olivia also shares a striking resemblance to Kate, with not only their sleek chestnut tresses and facial features but her elevated yet High Street savvy selections. week, she opted for £249 Sandro floral-print trousers and a chic white cropped jacket, channeling easy elegance.

The engagements were a show of support to three charities supported by the Duke's Westminster Foundation.

And much like Kate, the future Duchess of Westminster comes from a wealthy background.  Olivia descends from the Hoare banking family as well as the Marquesses of Bristol and the Dukes of Rutland, according to the Telegraph.

The outlet also says her uncle is the Grand Master of Scottish freemasons and her is father is stockbroker Rupert Henson.

Olivia reportedly also has a 29-year-old brother who works in asset management and a 26-year-old sister who's in a brand relationships role.

She is also said to speak Spanish and Italian after completing a Hispanic Studies and Italian degree at Trinity College in Dublin.

Much like the Princess of Wales, Olivia is understood to have attended the elite Marlborough College, and before that was at the equally revered Dragon School in Oxford along with fellow alum Emma Watson.

She has worked at Daily Dose LDN and No1 Rosemary Water before landing a role at Belazu - a B Corp ingredients brand - where she is currently a Key Account Manager, in 2019.

Hugh, a godson of King Charles who inherited an estimated fortune of almost £10billion, proposed to Olivia at his family seat, Eaton Hall, in Cheshire.

Senior members of the Royal Family are expected to attend the wedding. 

Hugh Grosvenor, 33, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is set to marry his fiancee Olivia, 31, next week

Although Hugh is reportedly a godfather of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son, Archie, he is said to have excluded the California-based couple from the invitations to avoid 'royal tensions'.

However, sources close to Prince Harry subsequently insisted that he had been sent a 'save the date' notice, but decided it would be 'too awkward' to attend.

Olivia and Hugh announced their engagement on April 23, 2023, after two years of dating.

A statement by the couple said: 'The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson are delighted to announce they are engaged to be married.

'The couple, who have been together for two years, recently became engaged at the Duke's family home at Eaton Hall in Cheshire. 

'Members of both their families are absolutely delighted with the news.'

The Duke's father Gerald Grosvenor suffered a sudden heart attack while out on a country walk, and died aged 64 in 2016.

Hugh succeeded his father, becoming an instant billionaire. As the 7th Duke of Westminster, he inherited a fortune of £9.3billion. 

He also inherited 300 acres across London's Mayfair and Belgravia – two of the most expensive areas in the world – as well as estates in Oxford, Scotland and properties around the globe - including the 10,872-acre family estate at Eaton Hall in Cheshire. 

Once dubbed Britain's most eligible bachelor, Hugh was educated at £6,000-a-term day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire 

Prince William (R) is greeted by General Timothy Granville-Chapman (2R), Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster (2L) and John Peace (L) as he arrives to attend the official handover of the newly built Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre

A close friend of the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Westminster is godfather to his eldest son Prince George (Grosvenor pictured  in 2018 second from left with then PM Theresa May, far left, Bahrain's Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, second from right, and Prince William, far right)

Close friends with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke is the youngest of Prince George's godparents. 

He has previously represented the country at Olympic Skeet Shooting competitions both internationally and in the UK.

Hugh previously dated property and recruitment consultant Harriet Tomlinson, but the couple, who met at £6,000-a-term day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire, split in 2020.

The Duke also supports the rehabilitation of wounded or injured members of the Armed Forces and donated £2.5million to the Health Service when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, but said he was so 'humbled' by the work of doctors and nurses he wanted to give another £10million.