Duke of Westminster waves to crowds after marriage to Olivia Henson

       Prince Harry's absence from Friday's lavish wedding ceremony of his dear friend, the Duke of Westminster, was "inevitable" according to a royal expert, who claimed his latest move solidifies his rift with the Royal Family.

       The Duke of Sussex was notably absent from Chester as around 400 guests, including the Prince of Wales, gathered to celebrate the fairytale nuptials of Hugh and Olivia Grosvenor.

       Prince William acted as an usher on his friend's special day and was pictured proudly beaming as Hugh and Olivia wowed the crowds after the service.

       But it was Harry's absence which carried a sombre tone during the otherwise joyous day.

       The duke has been close friends with Hugh for years and he also made him Prince Archie's godfather.

       READ MORE: Meghan would never have gone to Hugh Grosvenor's wedding for one key reason

       Prince Harry was notably absent from the society 'wedding of the year'. (Image: Getty)

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       Sources have previously revealed the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Westminster reached a "mutual agreement" regarding his attendance, and both parties recognised it would be "difficult" for him to attend.

       Now a royal expert has commented on Harry's decision to not attend the 'wedding of the year' and claimed it proved one thing.

       Veteran royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Express: "Harry’s non-appearance [on Friday] at the wedding of the year [was] inevitable.

       "It should be noted that he and Meghan don’t attend anything comparable in California.

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       Prince William was an usher at the wedding ceremony. (Image: Getty)

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       "He would surely not be human if he did not feel genuine regret as his friendship with Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster reportedly endures, and so many of his friends in his former life were there.

       "With William being an usher, it is a sad sign of the rift between the brothers that he felt he could not be present.

       "After the extraordinary briefings when he was last in Britain for the Invictus Service at St Paul’s, as to whether his father was too busy to see him and if there was enough security at a royal palace which he was reportedly offered, it is clear that the rift in the Royal Family could not be wider."

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