The Princess and the (soon-to-be) Duchess: As Olivia Henson prepares to marry the Duke of Westminster in Prince William’s presence… how her life aligns with Kate’s – from siblings to school writes CLAUDIA JOSEPH

The Princess and the (soon-to-be) Duchess: As Olivia Henson prepares to marry the Duke of Westminster in Prince William’s presence… how her life aligns with Kate’s – from siblings to school writes CLAUDIA JOSEPH

On April 29, 2011, Kate Middleton walked into the arms of Britain's most eligible bachelor, Prince William.

Now, 13 years later, Olivia Hanson is following in her footsteps, and has attached with the nation's richest man, Hugh Grosvenor, the seventh Duke of Westminster.

The similarities between the 2 girls are fairly extraordinary – to the extent that 31-year-old Olivia has been in comparison with a youthful model of the Princess of Wales, who’s 12 years her senior.

Each girls grew up within the Residence Counties with their two siblings – a brother and a sister.

Each attended the elite public faculty Marlborough, the place charges presently value £15,665 per semester. And Olivia's lineage is much more aristocratic than Kate's.

The 7th Duke of Westminster with his fiancée Olivia Benson, who will become the Duchess of Westminster on their wedding day

The 7th Duke of Westminster with his fiancée Olivia Benson, who will become the Duchess of Westminster on their wedding day

The seventh Duke of Westminster along with his fiancée Olivia Benson, who will develop into the Duchess of Westminster on their marriage ceremony day

Kate exits Westminster Abbey as the new Duchess of Cambridge on 29 April 2011.

Kate exits Westminster Abbey as the brand new Duchess of Cambridge on 29 April 2011.

Whereas Kate, 42, grew to become the Duchess of Cambridge upon her marriage to William, Olivia will develop into the following Duchess of Westminster on Friday.

And, whereas Kate's marriage ceremony to William was probably the most talked-about marriage ceremony on the planet, Olivia's ceremony at Chester Cathedral would be the most talked-about marriage ceremony of the last decade.

The seats at Chester Cathedral – like these at Westminster Abbey 13 years in the past – can be crammed with royalty and the Aristocracy.

Prince William would be the ceremonial grasp of ceremonies, along with his son Prince George, the Duke's godson, serving as a pageboy.

The King – Hugh's godfather – has been invited however can be unable to attend as he’s present process therapy for most cancers and can be in Normandy the day earlier than the ceremony to guide commemorations marking the eightieth anniversary of the D-Day landings.

And though Grosvenor can be near Prince Harry – he’s godfather to his son Archie – the Duke of Sussex is not going to attend the ceremony attributable to deep variations along with his brother William.

Prince William and Kate Middleton proposed marriage in Kenya

Prince William and Kate Middleton proposed marriage in Kenya

Olivia seems to be made from Kate's Home Counties mould. She loves visiting all the Chester charities supported by the Westminster Foundation

Olivia appears to be made out of Kate's Residence Counties mould. She loves visiting all of the Chester charities supported by the Westminster Basis

Princess Catherine of Wales with Prince William during a visit to SportsAid at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre to mark World Mental Health Day in October 2023

Princess Catherine of Wales with Prince William throughout a go to to SportsAid at Bisham Abbey Nationwide Sports activities Centre to mark World Psychological Well being Day in October 2023

No matter which royal member of the family is current, comparisons between Olivia and the Princess of Wales are inevitable, for the reason that Duke and his fiancée introduced their engagement on April 23 final yr.

Even her household historical past is not any totally different. Though a lot is claimed about Kate's mining ancestors, her mom Carole truly belongs to the aristocratic Bowes-Lyon household, the household of the late Queen Mom.

Each she and William are descendants of the Seventeenth-century aristocrat Sir William Blakiston of Gibside Corridor and his spouse, Jane.

Actually, he and William Blakiston are twelfth cousins ​​by lineage.

Olivia additionally has aristocratic ancestry and royal connections: she is the elder daughter of Rupert Henson and his spouse Caroline, a descendant of the Hoare banking household and the Marquess of Bristol.

and Caroline's twin sister Angela is married to Charles Gordon, Grand Grasp of the Scottish Freemasons and Scotland's senior Freemason.

Olivia can be a descendant of John Manners, fifth Duke of Rutland, and a distant cousin of the Manners sisters Girl Violet, Girl Alice and Girl Eliza.

Kate grew up within the villages of Bradfield Southend and Bucklebury in Berkshire, whereas Olivia was raised 30 miles away within the village of Longworth, within the Vale of White Horse.

Kate's sister Pippa, 40, grew to become often known as the 'Royal Hotness' after the royal marriage ceremony and is now a mom of three kids.

His brother James (37) and his spouse Alizée have a son, Inigo, seven months previous.

Both women have two siblings and were raised in their home county. Above: Kate's parents Carole and Michael, with her younger siblings Pippa and James

Each girls have two siblings and had been raised of their residence county. Above: Kate's dad and mom Carole and Michael, along with her youthful siblings Pippa and James

Catherine, Princess of Wales attended Marlborough, as did Olivia Henson, soon to be Duchess of Westminster. Above: Kate playing hockey at Marlborough in 2000

Catherine, Princess of Wales attended Marlborough, as did Olivia Henson, quickly to be Duchess of Westminster. Above: Kate taking part in hockey at Marlborough in 2000

Olivia moved to Marlborough with Kate and was a contemporary of Princess Eugenie

Olivia moved to Marlborough with Kate and was a up to date of Princess Eugenie

Olivia’s brother Jasper, 29, works in asset administration at a property firm, and her sister Emilia, 26, is a model relationship supervisor at magnificence field firm Newest in Magnificence.

Kate was educated at St Andrew's College in Berkshire earlier than transferring to Marlborough.

She then graduated with a 2:1 in Historical past of Artwork from the College of St Andrews in Scotland, the place she met William.

In the meantime, Olivia's schooling started on the personal Dragon College in Oxford alongside Emma Watson.

She then moved to Marlborough with Kate, the place she was a up to date of Princess Eugenie.

She graduated from Trinity School, Dublin with a 2:1 in Hispanic Research and Italian.

However whereas Kate is now the Princess of Wales, mum to her three kids George, 10, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, in addition to present process chemotherapy, Olivia continues to be working.

She is the senior account supervisor for moral meals firm Belazu, which sources 'favorite and trusted chef-grade elements' from the Center East and Mediterranean 'for cooks, meals lovers and pals'.

Nevertheless, her life will change as quickly as she has the ring on her finger.

She and the Duke are planning to maneuver to Cheshire after their marriage ceremony and little doubt we'll be listening to the sound of little footsteps quickly.

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