Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor is dead!

Billionaire landowner and philanthropist the Duke of Westminster Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire on Tuesday August 9 after suddenly becoming ill on his Abbeystead Estate. He was 64.

A spokesman for the family said in a statement last night: ''It is with the greatest sadness that we can confirm that the Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor (64) died this afternoon at Royal Preston Hospital. He was taken there from the Abbeystead Estate in Lancashire where he had suddenly been taken ill. 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.''

The Duke was the world's 68th richest person and the UK's third - worth an estimated £9 billion.

Following the sudden death of the Duke, means his 25-year-old son Hugh Grosvenor has now inherited an estate worth £9bn.

He had four children including his only son Hugh, who is heir to the dukedom and also Prince George's youngest godfather.

A friend of the Royal Family, he became the sixth Duke of Westminster in 1979.