Despite the fact he was married at least thrice and mostly sounds like a old womanizing trout, Hugh Grosvenor – 2nd Duke of Westminster, was one of the biggest romantics ever. In 1925, he was introduced to Coco Chanel after a party in Monte Carlo and passionately pursued her. It is said that once he hid a huge uncut emerald at the bottom of a crate of vegetables for her. Another story says that he showed up at Chanel’s apartment with an enormous bouquet of flowers and was only recognized after Coco’s assistant tried to hand “the delivery boy” a tip.
His most extravagant display of affection?
The dear Duke had her entwined initials placed on lampposts on the Grosvenor estate in Central London. (This story is denied by the Grosvenor estate even today, but the lampposts still stand, whispering the truth.) He was Chanel’s lover until 1930, however marriage was not on the cards for Gabrielle. She apparently declined, reasoning: “There have been several Duchesses of Westminster. There is only one Chanel.”
{ 4 trackbacks }