Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Westminster
|
|
|---|---|
Photographed by Allan Warren in 1997
|
|
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
|
| In office 19 February 1979 – 11 November 1999 as a hereditary peer |
|
| Preceded by | The 5th Duke of Westminster |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor
22 December 1951 Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom |
| Died | 9 August 2016 (aged 64) Preston, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
| Spouse |
Natalia Phillips
(m. 1978) |
| Children |
|
| Parents |
|
| Residence | Eaton Hall, Cheshire |
| Known for |
|
| Civilian awards |
|
| Other titles | Earl Grosvenor (1967–1979) |
| Website | www.grosvenorestate.com |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1973–2012 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | North Irish Horse |
| Commands |
|
| Military awards |
|
Major General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster (born 22 December 1951 – died 9 August 2016) was a very important person in the United Kingdom. He was a landowner, a successful businessman, and a member of the British nobility. He also served as a high-ranking general in the Territorial Army.
Gerald was the son of Robert Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster, and Viola Lyttelton. He became the Chairman of the Grosvenor Group, a large property company. In 1989, he was named the second richest person in the UK. Only Queen Elizabeth II had more wealth than him at that time.
Born in Northern Ireland, Gerald went to boarding schools in England. He joined the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and had a long career in the Territorial Army. He became a major-general in 2004.
The Duke was one of the biggest landowners in the UK. His family business owned property in many cities, including Edinburgh, Liverpool, Oxford, Cambridge, Southampton, and Cheshire. This included his family home, Eaton Hall. They also owned a large part of Mayfair and Belgravia in Central London. In 2016, he was the third-richest British citizen.
The Duke passed away on 9 August 2016 after a heart attack. His only son, Hugh, inherited his titles and responsibilities.
Contents
The Grosvenor Family Business
The Grosvenor family started developing land in Mayfair, Central London, in the early 1700s. About 100 years later, they developed another fancy part of London called Belgravia. This area is very close to Buckingham Palace.
After these London projects, the family business grew even more. In the 1950s, they expanded to North America. They developed areas like Annacis Island and Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. In the 1960s, they started projects in Australia. By the 1990s, they were working in Asia, and just before the year 2000, they moved into Continental Europe.
The 6th Duke himself led the business as Chairman of the Trustees. He was also a director for Claridge's Hotel from 1981 to 1993. He was also involved with Marcher Sound from 1992 to 1997.
Growing Up and School
As a child, Gerald lived on an island in Lower Lough Erne in Northern Ireland. He went to school there first. When he was seven, he was sent to boarding schools in England: Sunningdale School and then Harrow.
It was hard for him to fit in at first because of his accent. Even after his accent changed, he found it difficult to make friends. He was not happy at boarding school, and his studies suffered. He left school with only two qualifications in history and English.
Military Service
Gerald joined the Territorial Army in 1970. He had planned to join the regular army, but family responsibilities changed his path. In 1973, he went to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, to train as an officer.
He quickly moved up the ranks. He became a second lieutenant in 1973, a lieutenant in 1975, and a captain in 1980. By 1985, he was a major.
He became a lieutenant-colonel in 1992. He led several units, including the North Irish Horse and the Cheshire Yeomanry Squadron, which his ancestors had started. In 1994, he was promoted to colonel. He also held honorary colonel positions for other military groups.
In 2000, he became a brigadier. In 2004, he was given a new important role as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets). This meant he was promoted to major-general. He was in charge of 50,000 reservists and 138,000 cadets. He retired from the Armed Forces in 2012.
Helping Service Personnel
The Duke cared deeply about military personnel. He was the President of BLESMA, an organization that helps veterans who have lost limbs. He was also Vice-President of the Royal British Legion, which supports former service members.
In 2011, he bought land at Stanford Hall to create a special rehabilitation center. This center, called the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC), helps military casualties recover. The Duke was very involved in this project until he passed away.
Learning and Education
Even though he struggled with school as a child, the Duke later showed a strong interest in education. He received several honorary degrees from universities. He was also involved with many educational organizations.
He was a Pro-Chancellor of Keele University and Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University. In 2005, he became the first Chancellor of the University of Chester, a role he held until his death.
He was a big supporter of The Prince's Trust. This charity helps young people develop skills and confidence.
Sports and Nature
The Duke enjoyed outdoor activities like shooting and fishing. He was President of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. He also supported the Atlantic Salmon Trust, which works to protect salmon.
He was a member of the MCC and the Royal Yacht Squadron. He also served as President of the Youth Sports Trust.
He played a role in planning the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He was also involved in the bid for Manchester to host the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics.
Other Charities and Groups
The Duke was involved with many other charities and organizations, including:
- President of Scope, which helps people with disabilities.
- President of National Kidney Research Fund.
- President of the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
- President of the North of England Zoological Society.
- Life Vice-President of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
- President of the Chester and District Scout Council.
- Director of Business in the Community (BITC).
- Vice-President of the Country Landowners' Association.
He also appeared as a judge in Prince Edward's charity television special The Grand Knockout Tournament in 1987.
His Family Life
The Duke of Westminster married Natalia Ayesha Phillips in 1978. Natalia is a descendant of the famous Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.
They had four children:
- Lady Tamara Katherine Grosvenor (born 1979), who married Edward van Cutsem. They have three children.
- Lady Edwina Louise Grosvenor (born 1981), who is a prison reformer. She married Dan Snow and they have three children.
- Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster (born 1991), who is the current Duke. He is a godson of King Charles III. He married Olivia Henson in 2024.
- Lady Viola Georgina Grosvenor (born 1992), who married Angus Roberts.
In 1998, the Duke experienced a period of depression. He said it was due to the huge pressures of his business and public life.
Death and Legacy
The Duke passed away on 9 August 2016 at Royal Preston Hospital in Preston. He had suffered a heart attack at his Abbeystead Estate. A private funeral was held for his close family, and a larger memorial service took place at Chester Cathedral. He is buried in the family plot at St Mary's Church, Eccleston.
His passing led to discussions about how large family fortunes are passed down in the UK.
Honours and Awards
Orders and Medals
  |
|||
_Ribbon.png){kind=small} |
_ribbon_-vector.svg){kind=small} |
 |
 |
 |
.png){kind=small} |
 |
 |
| Order of the Bath | Royal Victorian Order | ||
| Order of the British Empire | Order of Saint John | Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal |
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal |
| Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
Efficiency Decoration | Volunteer Reserves Service Medal |
Canadian Forces' Decoration |
13 January 1987 Commander of the Order of St John (CStJ)- 11 November 1991 Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ)
- 30 December 1994 Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
23 April 2003 Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG)- 14 June 2008 Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
- 16 June 2012 Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
- Decorations
-
- 1994 Territorial Decoration (TD)
2004 Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)
Medals
- 6 February 1977 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
- 6 February 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
- 6 February 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
- 29 May 2012 Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (VR)
Other Honours
- 1973 He received the Freedom of the City of Chester.
- 20 July 1981 He received the Freedom of the City of London.
- 29 March 1982 He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire (DL).
- 1990 He received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Keele University.
- 1990 He received an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool Polytechnic.
- 1993 He received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from Manchester Metropolitan University.
- 14 March 2000 He received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from University of Salford.
- 2000 He received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Chester.
- 2001 He received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Central Lancashire.
- 2013 He was awarded an Honorary Degree from Harper Adams University.
Honorary Military Roles
- Honorary Colonel The Queen's Own Yeomanry
- Honorary Colonel 7th Regt. Army Air Corps
- Honorary Colonel The Queen's Own Yeomanry
- Colonel-in-Chief Royal Westminster Regiment, New Westminster, BC, Canada
- Honorary Colonel Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps
- Honorary Colonel Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps
Family Coat of Arms
 |
|
See also
In Spanish: Gerald Grosvenor para niños
- List of billionaires
- List of dukes in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
- Westminster City Council v Duke of Westminster
