Prince William assumed a prestigious royal duty on behalf of his father, King Charles, by filling in for him at a significant event, forcing him to miss the rehearsal dinner for the Duke of Westminster's wedding.
The Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, is poised to tie the knot with Olivia Henson in a grand ceremony at Chester Cathedral. William, a close friend of Grosvenor, was slated to serve as the groom's usher, overseeing the ceremony that is expected to draw over 400 guests at the expansive Eaton Estate.
However, instead of attending the rehearsal dinner for this highly anticipated event, William had to stand in for his father at a D-Day commemorative ceremony, a responsibility deemed too strenuous for the King.
King Charles, currently undergoing cancer treatment, could not participate in the ceremony at Omaha Beach to honor the Normandy Landings. William, filling his father's shoes, joined world leaders such as President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron for the solemn occasion.
Although King Charles embarked on his first overseas trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier in the day, he opted out of the international event at Omaha Beach on doctors' advice.
Reportedly, the King was pleased that his son could deputize for him for the first time. While William missed the rehearsal, he is slated for a significant role at the wedding ceremony. Notably, Prince Harry, also a close friend of the Duke of Westminster, will be absent from the event entirely.
Earlier reports indicated that Harry and Meghan declined the invitation to the nuptials. However, a source revealed a possible reason behind Harry's absence, suggesting an amicable agreement between the Duke of Westminster and Harry, allowing William to assume the usher role without discomfort.
"It's understood that a mutually respectful understanding was reached between the Duke of Westminster and Harry," stated a source to The Times. "Harry agreed to stay away, clearing the way for William to fulfill the usher role during Friday's ceremony, a task that might have been awkward had Harry attended."
