The baby-faced seventh Duke of Westminster is the richest man in the North West and the ninth richest man in Britain, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2017.

Hugh Grosvenor, who is just 26, is worth a staggering £9.52BILLION, having inherited the extraordinary fortune when his father Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor tragically passed away last year.

Most of the Grosvenor family's wealth comes from 300 acres of land and property in Belgravia and Mayfair - cheekily referred to as ‘half of London’, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Hugh, whose family seat is Eaton Hall at Eccleston, near Chester, is three times wealthier than his nearest competitor in Merseyside - Home Bargains founder Tom Morris.

More recently, Hugh has enjoyed wider renown as Godfather to the cherubic Prince George.

But despite his royal connections and his vast piles of cash, he’s led a remarkably normal life.

He attended a state primary school before going on to Ellesmere College, an independent school, before taking an Agriculture degree at Newcastle University. On what appears to be his LinkedIn page, he’s said to have attained a good second class degree.

While he hasn’t been one to court the limelight, Hugh’s 21st birthday party was a star-studded affair.

Held at Eaton Hall the party was rumoured to have cost £5m and boasted entertainment from hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks and comedian Michael McIntyre. Prince Harry was among the 800 guests.

Hugh said at the time: “The party was simply amazing – a birthday and a party I will never forget. It is the beginning of a new era in my life and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

That new era began with stints working at his family’s property group, before taking up a role as an accounts manager at a green energy firm.

Until recently, he was considered the UK’s most eligible bachelor. But earlier this year, it was revealed he was potentially off the market.

It’s hard to fathom the exact details of the Duke’s private life because he doesn’t seek publicity, unlike some of his Rich List peers.

But various sources have claimed he is in love with childhood sweetheart Harriet Tomlinson, whom he met at Ellesmere College.

Harriet and the Duke are said to have taken several trips abroad together, including to California.

A source told the Mirror: “He is happiest when he is enjoying time with Harriet and their close circle. He was left crushed when his father died but Harriet has been a huge ­support and is helping him to get used to his new responsibilities. They’re a lovely couple and ­deserve all the happiness in the world.”

While all but £400m of his fortune is held in family trusts, his overall net worth is up £170m from last year.