Our sister paper the Sunday Mirror is reporting the Duke of Westminster has rekindled his relationship with girlfriend Harriet Tomlinson.
Hugh Grosvenor , 28, from Eaton Hall, Eccleston , and Harriet, 27, from Sandy Lane, Chester , are childhood sweethearts who met as schoolmates at a private school in Shropshire.
But last year Daily Mail columnist Richard Eden reported gossip Hugh and Harriet had parted company.
The Chronicle heard the same rumour about a split at a time when Harriet was believed to be living in South Africa. And the duke, who is pals with Prince William and godfather to Prince George, was pictured alone when he attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May, 2018.
Now the Sunday Mirror reports the romance is back on again.
A source told the paper: “Hugh and Harriet have always had a bit of an on-off relationship.
“But things are most definitely back on now and they couldn’t be happier. Hugh is absolutely besotted with her and it’s easy to see why. She’s a lovely girl.”
Hugh, the 7th Duke of Westminster, inherited his title and a family fortune now estimated at £10.1bn when his father Gerald died three years ago.
Most Read
He and Harriet met while pupils at £6,000-a-term private day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire.
Until leaving for South Africa, she had been working as a consultant at London-based recruitment firm Deverell Smith.
Her parents live in a property overlooking the river, just a few miles from the Duke’s sprawling family seat, Eaton Hall, where he is a regular visitor these days.
The 7th Duke of Westminster
The Daily Mail previously reported on the romantic mode of transport the pair have used in the past.
Journalist Natalie Clarke wrote: “At the foot of Harriet Tomlinson’s garden in Chester lies the River Dee, and moored there is a small motor launch owned by her family.
“On fine days, Harriet’s boyfriend, Hugh Grosvenor, collects her from her family’s semi-detached Victorian property, takes the helm of the boat and heads along the river, meandering east out of the city, then south, down to his place.
“You can’t miss Hugh’s house: Eaton Hall is a mansion built in the style of a French chateau and set in magnificent parkland.”
Don’t miss
Last August Harriet’s father Grahame, 82, who owned a curtain factory, dismissed talk of a split, insisting Hugh and Harriet were still together when asked to comment.
To receive one WhatsApp message a day with the main headlines from CheshireLive, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07500 881875. Then add the number to your phone contacts book as 'CheshireLive'.
Your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group.