The Duke of Sussex shared a close relationship with the groom, but reportedly chose to stay at home so attention wasn’t detracted from the couple’s big day.

Prince Harry did not attend his good friend the Duke of Westminster’s wedding on Friday in what one royal expert has called a “very sad” moment.

Hugh Grosvenor married his girlfriend of two years Olivia Henson at a lavish ceremony Chester Cathedral that was attended by Prince William but not his brother.

This snub came as a surprise to many as the Duke of Sussex shared a much closer relationship with the groom, but reportedly chose to stay at home in California with Meghan Markle so attention wasn’t detracted from the couple’s big day.

There was also the added awkwardness of Prince Harry having to interact with his estranged family, his relationship with whom has become increasingly strained since he and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said there was a “sadness” surrounding the event as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex missed “the wedding of the year”.

He told The Mirror: “To feel you have no choice but to miss the wedding of the year is very sad. However, the deep rift within the Royal Family has ensured that Harry and Meghan were never going to accept an invitation to the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, godfather to Archie and a close friend of Harry. They knew William would be there, reportedly as one of the ushers.”

He acknowledged the “media storm” that would’ve occurred if the Duke and Duchess had accepted their invitations. He said: “They also knew that their presence would cause a media storm, especially since Meghan has not visited Britain since Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral.”

The week of the wedding, PEOPLE “confirmed” that Prince Harry was invited but declined, though there was “understanding between the two friends”, according to a source. The outlet claimed: “There was an acknowledgment on both sides that it would be difficult for Harry to attend.”

Hugh is close to a number of Royal Family members, even serving as godfather to Prince George and Prince Archie, and is the godson of King Charles.

Prince William was an usher for the wedding, which was interrupted by Just Stop Oil protestors attempting to use fire extinguishers to spray powder paint in the direction of the wedding party as they left the cathedral. Police quickly removed Polly, 73, a care worker from Norfolk, and Sheila, 69, a former NHS nurse from Bristol.

Hugh and Olivia will now settle down at Eaton Hall, the billionaire’s home just outside Chester. He is one of UK’s wealthiest landowners and was known as the most eligible bachelor in Britain until he married.