Which is correct? “Grandson of the late” or “grandson of late”?

We usually find this in wedding invitations. Karthick, grandson of the late Jayaraman, etc. When you want to refer to someone who is no more, you generally use “the” before “late”.

*Padma, the daughter of the late Ganesh, is building a house. *The late President was known for his sense of humour.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ Series – The Hindu Daily, July 18 , 2005.