The sixth Duke of Westminster died of a heart attack, it has been confirmed.

Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, whose ancestral home is Eaton Hall , Eccleston, near Chester, passed away on Tuesday afternoon (August 9).

The duke, a close friend of Prince Charles, had been staying at his country retreat of Abbeystead near Lancaster when he was suddenly taken ill.

He was conveyed to the Royal Preston Hospital where he sadly died.

Preston coroner’s office today confirmed His Grace's death was due to heart attack.

A spokeswoman for the coroner said there would be no inquest because the cause of death was natural.

The duke, whose wealth is estimated at £9.35bn, is survived by his wife, the Duchess of Westminster, Natalia Grosvenor, his son and heir Hugh Grosvenor, who succeeds him as the seventh Duke of Westminster, and daughters Lady Tamara van Cutsem, Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Lady Viola Grosvenor as well as six grandchildren.

Details of his funeral have not yet been released.