The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are basking in new-parent bliss following the birth of their first child—a daughter named Cosima Florence Grosvenor, who was born in London on 27 July.

In a statement shared shortly after her arrival, the couple said: “The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby daughter, Cosima Florence Grosvenor… Both the Duchess and Cosima are doing well. The Duke and Duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family.”

But alongside the joy, a delicate decision looms—one that has reportedly become a “minefield”, according to The Times: Who will be chosen as Cosima’s godfather?

Prince William or Prince Harry?

At the heart of the dilemma are two of the Duke’s closest friends—Prince William and Prince Harry—each of whom share a significant personal history with Hugh Grosvenor, 34, one of the wealthiest men in the UK.

Grosvenor is godfather to both Prince George and Prince Archie, the sons of William and Harry respectively. His own godfather is King Charles III, underscoring his deep ties to the royal family.

According to sources close to the family, Prince William is expected to be named godfather to baby Cosima. Given their close bond—William served as an usher at Hugh’s wedding to Olivia Henson in 2023—this would come as little surprise. However, Prince Harry, also said to be a long-standing friend of Hugh’s, was notably absent from the wedding, despite reportedly receiving a save-the-date.

A Matter of Royal Tensions

The omission of Prince Harry from recent major social events has not gone unnoticed. Tensions between the brothers—exacerbated by Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties and the publication of Spare—have yet to be resolved.

In a candid interview earlier this year, Harry acknowledged the strain, saying: “There is no point continuing to fight anymore… Some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive lots of things. But I would love a reconciliation. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me.”

The complex dynamics have placed the Duke of Westminster in a sensitive position. Choosing one brother over the other may unintentionally deepen existing divides or be interpreted as a symbolic gesture amid ongoing family tensions.

A Godfather Decision with Public Implications

While godparent selections are typically private matters, when the individuals involved are high-ranking royals, decisions carry symbolic weight. The Duke’s choice will inevitably be scrutinized—not only as a reflection of personal friendship, but also in the broader context of the current royal rift.

For now, Hugh and Olivia appear focused on enjoying the early days of parenthood with baby Cosima. Whether the final godparent list includes William, Harry, or both remains to be seen—but whichever way the decision falls, it will certainly be one watched closely by royal observers.