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British RoyalsKing Charles IIIPrince & Princess of Wales

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attend Duke of Westminster’s Memorial Service

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been spotted arriving for the Duke of Westminster’s Memorial Service at the Chester Cathedral, to gasps from the crowds. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were also spotted as they arrived at the cathedral.

Around 2,000 people are expected to attend the memorial service for the sixth Duke of Westminster. Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died on 9 August 2016 after suffering a heart attack. He was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital where he died.

There are several road closures in place for the influx of mourners. A briefing sent to Cheshire West and Chester councillors reads: “It is expected that around 2,000 guests will be attending the ticketed service including family, close friends, estate workers, local, national and international VIPs and representatives of charities the Duke had links with. It is anticipated that security around the event will be high, particularly on the day. The police are working closely with the Westminster family to ensure that all guests and members of the public remain safe.” Chester has placed signs up warning the locals of a “major city event” that will affect most of the city centre.

Some guests received formal invitations to the memorial, but national and regional publications also printed notices that you could apply for an invitation. Those who did apply were asked for their connection to the Duke and would have to undergo background security checks and pat downs before the memorial.

Forty private coaches will transport the majority of the guests in and out of the city. The Duke is survived by his wife Natalia Grosvenor, daughters Lady Tamara van Cutsem, Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Lady Viola Grosvenor and his 25-year-old son and heir Hugh Grosvenor, who is now the seventh Duke of Westminster.

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