Meet the baby-faced 26-year-old billionaire worth £9.52BILLION.

Despite his youth, Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is the richest man in the North West, and the ninth richest man in Britain, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2017.

Hugh inherited his massive wealth in August last year when his father Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died. He’s three times wealthier than his nearest competitor in Merseyside - Home Bargains founder Tom Morris.

There was a lot of affection for his father in Merseyside and Cheshire. Though the family’s wealth is chiefly derived from 300 acres of land and property in Belgravia and Mayfair - cheekily referred to as ‘half of London’ - they’re known up here for the development of Liverpool ONE.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

More recently, Hugh has enjoyed wider renown as Godfather to the cherubic Prince George.

But despite his royal connections and his vast piles of cash, he’s led a remarkably normal life.

He attended a state primary school before going on to Ellesmere College, an independent school, before taking an Agriculture degree at Newcastle University. On what appears to be his LinkedIn page, he’s said to have attained a good second class degree.

While he hasn’t been one to court the limelight, Hugh’s 21st birthday party was a star-studded affair.

(Image: Grosvenor Estate/PA Wire)

Held on the family’s Eaton Hall Estate, the party was rumoured to have cost £5m and boasted entertainment from hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks and comedian Michael McIntyre. Prince Harry was among the 800 guests.

According to the Chester Chronicle, McIntyre joked that the area was “less Hollyoaks” than he’d imagined, though the guests partied in true northern style into the early hours.

Hugh said at the time: “The party was simply amazing – a birthday and a party I will never forget. It is the beginning of a new era in my life and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

That new era began with stints working at his family’s property group, before taking up a role as an accounts manager at a green energy firm.

(Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)

Until recently, he was considered the UK’s most eligible bachelor. But earlier this year, it was revealed he was potentially off the market.

It’s hard to fathom the exact details of the Duke’s private life because he doesn’t seek publicity, unlike some of his Rich List peers.

But various sources have claimed he is in love with childhood sweetheart Harriet Tomlinson, whom he met at Ellesmere College.

Harriet and the Duke are said to have taken several trips abroad together, including to California.

A source told the Mirror: “He is happiest when he is enjoying time with Harriet and their close circle. He was left crushed when his father died but Harriet has been a huge ­support and is helping him to get used to his new responsibilities. They’re a lovely couple and ­deserve all the happiness in the world.”

While all but £400m of his fortune is held in family trusts, his overall net worth is up £170m from last year.