As Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall celebrate their wedding day, we take a look back at their whirlwind romance and where it all began. The couple will tie the knot in a low-key civil service on Friday, followed by a wedding blessing at St Bride's Church in London's Fleet Street over the weekend.
Get more details about Rupert and Jerry's wedding plans in this week's HELLO! magazine, on sale now in all good newsagents and available to download on iPad, android, kindle fire and more formats. Or subscribe today to make sure you don't miss an issue!
© Photo: Getty ImagesRupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall married on Friday
It comes after a relationship of just five months, which began when they were introduced by Rupert's niece Penny Fowler in his native Australia late last summer. They initially kept their relationship under wraps, but confirmed that they were an item by putting on an amorous display at the Rugby World Cup final at the end of October.
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Friends have since said they have never seen Jerry as happy as she is with Rupert, and her joy is evident whenever they are together. The 59-year-old is rarely seen without a smile on her face thanks to her relationship with the media mogul, 84.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple went public with their romance at the Rugby World Cup
The loved-up pair made their first red carpet appearance together at the Golden Globes in January, where they looked blissfully happy as they posed for the cameras with their arms wrapped around each other. Joined by Rupert's son Lachlan and his wife Sarah, it was a family affair and preceded another important milestone in their relationship – announcing their engagement.
While it was previously believed that Rupert had popped the question in Los Angeles that weekend, Jerry's friend Dame Joan Collins told HELLO! that the couple had actually been engaged since December and she had been asked to keep it a secret.
© Photo: Getty ImagesRupert and Jerry announced their engagement after the Golden Globes
"Well Jerry – I kept the secret – and despite being sad I cannot be there to celebrate with you, I'm wishing that radiant glow stays with you forever," Dame Joan said.
The delighted couple kept news of their engagement among their close friends and family for weeks before sharing their happy news in the births, marriages and deaths section of the Times newspaper the morning after the Golden Globes.
"They have loved these past months together," Rupert's spokesman said, adding that they were "thrilled to be getting married and excited about their future".
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple made their first red carpet appearance alongside Rupert's son and daughter-in-law
Rupert presented Jerry with an incredible 20-carat marquise rock engagement ring that is believed to be worth over £2.4million, and the media mogul has also spared no effort in ensuring he and Jerry have the wedding she had always dreamed of.
While the couple will keep their nuptials low-key with a civil service at a registry office on Friday, they are expected to be joined by around 120 of their friends and family members for a wedding blessing at St. Bride's Church in London's Fleet Street over the weekend.
Along with their children – Rupert has six and Jerry has four from their previous relationships – the newlyweds are likely to be joined by a number of high profile guests including Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, who are godparents to Rupert's daughters Grace and Chloe. It is also reported that Jerry and Rupert's daughters will all have a special role in the ceremony, acting as bridesmaids for the wedding blessing at St Bride's Church.
Theirs may have been a whirlwind romance but it appears that in each other both Rupert and Jerry have met their match. "I have never seen her so joyful," a friend told HELLO! "She is happier than ever."
To read more about Jerry and Rupert's wedding day plans, pick up the latest issue of HELLO! out now.
