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Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, dies aged 64 Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, dies aged 64
(about 7 hours later)
Billionaire landowner the Duke of Westminster has died aged 64, his estate said.Billionaire landowner the Duke of Westminster has died aged 64, his estate said.
Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire on Tuesday.Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire on Tuesday.
He had suddenly become ill on his Abbeystead Estate, a spokesman added.He had suddenly become ill on his Abbeystead Estate, a spokesman added.
He was one of the UK's richest landowners, with a fortune estimated at $10.8bn (£8.3bn) by Forbes magazine. That would make him the world's 68th richest person and the UK's third.He was one of the UK's richest landowners, with a fortune estimated at $10.8bn (£8.3bn) by Forbes magazine. That would make him the world's 68th richest person and the UK's third.
'Privacy''Privacy'
One of his four children, Hugh Grosvenor, the heir to the dukedom, is Prince George's youngest godfather.One of his four children, Hugh Grosvenor, the heir to the dukedom, is Prince George's youngest godfather.
Giving news of the duke's death, a spokeswoman said: "His family are all aware and they ask for privacy and understanding at this very difficult time.Giving news of the duke's death, a spokeswoman said: "His family are all aware and they ask for privacy and understanding at this very difficult time.
"No further comment will be made for the time being but further information will follow in due course.""No further comment will be made for the time being but further information will follow in due course."
Among properties across the UK he owned 190 acres in Belgravia, an area near to Buckingham Palace, and one of London's most expensive districts.Among properties across the UK he owned 190 acres in Belgravia, an area near to Buckingham Palace, and one of London's most expensive districts.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that Her Majesty the Queen is aware of the news about the Duke of Westminster.A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that Her Majesty the Queen is aware of the news about the Duke of Westminster.
"A message of condolence is being sent by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.""A message of condolence is being sent by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh."
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are "deeply shocked and greatly saddened" by the sudden death of their friend the Duke of Westminster, a Clarence House spokeswoman added.The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are "deeply shocked and greatly saddened" by the sudden death of their friend the Duke of Westminster, a Clarence House spokeswoman added.
The Grosvenor family accrued much of their London wealth through the marriage of Sir Thomas Grosvenor to the heiress Mary Davies in 1677.
According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography she brought Grosvenor "the estates which would become the cornerstone of the family's later wealth".
The estates were described as Ebury farm, east of Chelsea, and a large holding between Tyburn Brook and Park Lane in central London. Today these are part of the wealthy Belgravia and Mayfair districts.
Educated at Harrow school, the duke worked on ranches in Australia and Canada before serving an informal apprenticeship in property management.
He abandoned his dream of a career as a soldier in 1973 on becoming trustee of the Grosvenor Estate at the age of 22, but signed up to the Territorial Army and in 1994 was made an OBE for his work in the volunteer force.
Known as a philanthropist, the duke gave financial support to both rural and inner-city areas with links to his estate.