Prince of Wales expected to take on special honor as Duke of Sussex remains distant from UK ties
Prince Harry is said to be facing fresh disappointment as his older brother, Prince William, is reportedly in line to take over a role once thought to be reserved for him—a godfather to the child of a close mutual friend.
Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster and longtime friend to both royal brothers, recently welcomed his first child with wife Olivia Grace Henson. With speculation growing over who will be named godparent, insiders suggest Prince William is the likely choice, further underscoring the continued distance between the estranged siblings.
Royal expert Jennie Bond shared insights with The Mirror, highlighting how Harry’s absence from UK life has made such decisions more straightforward. “These awkward decisions are made slightly easier by the fact that Harry lives so far away, with no prospect of ever moving back to the UK,” Bond noted. “That’s not the ideal way to carry out any godparenting duties.”
Bond also pointed out that Hugh appears to have quietly aligned himself with William in recent years. The Prince of Wales was an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding and has been seen with Hugh at various public events, including cheering on Aston Villa during a Champions League match.
Once considered close to both William and Harry, Hugh’s reported shift in loyalty marks another subtle sign of the long-standing rift. While no official announcement has been made about the godparent selection, the decision to favor William is being viewed by some as a symbolic passing of the torch—and a bittersweet moment for Harry.
As the royal divide shows little sign of healing, the Duke of Sussex’s physical and emotional distance from his former UK circle continues to impact not just royal relations, but personal milestones among friends once considered family.
