Details have been unveiled for a memorial service to commemorate the life of the sixth Duke of Westminster , who died over the summer.
Major General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died aged 64 on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 9, while visiting his Abbeystead country retreat near Lancaster.
His family’s ancestral home is Eaton Hall, Eccleston , near Chester.
So it is fitting the memorial service will take place at Chester Cathedral from 2pm on Monday, November 28.
Many guests will receive invitations to attend. But people can also apply for a place at the private event, explaining their connection to the late duke.
It is expected the service at the cathedral, which has a capacity of around 2,000, will be attended by family, close friends, estate workers and representatives of charities with whom the duke had links.
Notices appeared in The Times and Telegraph at the weekend with a similar item due to be published in this week’s Chronicle.
The notice reads: “Entry to the cathedral will be by ticket only. Anyone wishing to attend and who has not already received notification should write, explaining their connection to the late duke and enclosing full contact details including email address, either by email to memorial.service@grosvenor.com or by post to Memorial Service, Eaton Estate Office, Eccleston, Chester CH4 9ET.
“You should include your full name as it appears on your passport as guests will be subjected to searches on the day. All applications for tickets will be subject to a vetting check, and as such your application is viewed as consent for this check to be undertaken by Cheshire Constabulary .”
The duke, a close friend of Prince Charles , had been staying at his country home at Abbeystead, near Lancaster, when he suffered a heart attack. He was conveyed by air ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital where he sadly died.
He is survived by his wife, the Duchess of Westminster, Natalia Grosvenor, daughters Lady Tamara van Cutsem , Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Lady Viola Grosvenor and his 25-year-old son and heir Hugh Grosvenor , who inherits the title of seventh Duke of Westminster.
Like many of his forebears, the sixth duke was an accomplished soldier who rose to the rank of Major General. He was a passionate supporter of a vision to create The Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) for wounded soldiers in Leicestershire, which is due to open in 2018. And he made the founding gift of £50 million. Donations in the duke’s memory will go towards the centre and can be made by visiting: www.thednrc.org.uk
Applications to attend the memorial service must be received by Monday, October 24, and applicants will be advised whether they are successful or not by Monday, November 14, 2016.
