The Duke of Westminster, Hugh Richard Grosvenor, known as Bendor (1878-1953), in 1903
The 4 Duchesses of Westminster
History of the Jewels of France
more information: Palace Hotels of the World
Bendor, heir to one of the greatest fortunes in the world
In 1899, at the age of 21, Bendor, Hugh Richard Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster, inherited from his grandfather, the 1st Duke of Westminster, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor (1825-1899), the largest fortune in the United Kingdom (far exceeding that of the Royal Family), probably the largest fortune in Europe and perhaps one of the greatest fortunes in the world. ... Well, not quite, as Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and John D Rockefeller were wealthier still.
Well, rankings of fortunes shift a great deal, but for 100 years that of the Duke of Westminster has always remained in the Top 50 of the world's greatest fortunes.
But "WHO" in this ranking is just as handsome, just as tall, not at all "stingy" and a little eccentric???
Nothing is more tedious than immensely rich people who are too careful with their money, or even obsessively stingy.
If you are that "rare gem", do invite us, when you are in Paris, for a drink at the Bar du Bristol which is another of those Palace Hotels that, thanks to Maja Oetker, has managed to keep a little of the magic of the "Belle Époque".
As for the Grosvenors, this is not an industrial empire exposed to technological change, but something very, very stable: property, more precisely two almost entire districts in the heart of London, Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as vast estates in the north of Scotland, many other plots of land and buildings here and there, and a countless number of works of art.
So the Duke hardly needed to worry about how to pay his telephone bill at the end of the month (even if it must have been quite substantial, as at that time the telephone, especially long distance, was still very expensive ... Alexander Bell had invented it in 1876). Bendor had the wisdom not to embark on risky ventures. He simply wanted to collect his rents and enjoy life to the full ....
Given that England never had a Revolution and that the heart of London has always remained the heart of London, his lifestyle never changed ...
The Duke lived mainly at Eaton Hall near London, at Grosvenor House in the heart of London facing Hyde Park, and on his estate at Laxford in Scotland, unless he was travelling aboard the "Flying Cloud". He adored the French Riviera, where life was at its most amusing.
His diary was arranged around the "major social events", the finest receptions of their time all across Europe.
Bendor, the Carlton's most glamorous guest from 1911 to 1952
Bendor frequented the Carlton from its opening in 1911; that year, the 2nd cupola was still missing.
He was 33 years old when the Carlton opened,
and then 35 when it reopened with the 2nd part completed.
The editor of this site does not know which of the 4 Duchesses went there with him, but he does know that Coco Chanel and Aimee de Heeren were there with him several times. More on the construction of the Carlton.
Grand Duke Michael of Russia, uncle of Tsar Nicholas II, who had financed the construction of the Carlton, was until 1917 one of the crowned kings of the French Riviera and a friend of Bendor, whom he often saw at the Carlton Bar ....
La Belle Otero managed to seduce every rich and famous man; one could come across her in the hotel lobby and, naturally, she tried to attract Bendor ... but, contrary to what is written in the books, without success. According to Begogna Angulo, he found her rather frivolous.
On the French Riviera, the Duke of Westminster loved the finest Palace Hotels; apart from the Carlton in Cannes, here is the list: the Hotel du Cap in Antibes, the Hotel Hermitage and the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, and the other Hotel du Cap at Cap Ferrat ...
continued ... the passion for giving Jewellery
Video on various European jewels
A few websites related to this article:
The Cremerie de Paris exhibition centre. In the history of the Cremerie .... Aimée de Heeren, Bendor and Coco Chanel. The story of Chanel by VB.com. The story of Aimee de Heeren. A website on the history of brands: Very Beautiful = VB.com. In preparation: Palace Hotels of the World.com
Information website on the activities of the Dukes of Westminster, Grosvenor Estate, published by Bendor's heir, the 6th Duke of Westminster. Information website on the life of Empress Eugénie's husband, Napoleon III. Information website on the English Dukes