Joy as Daily Mail owner's son is engaged to Alexandra, girl he met through a love of horses
Six years after meeting on an adventurous horseback safari in Kenya, Vere Harmsworth, elder son of Viscount and Viscountess Rothermere, and Alexandra Wood are engaged.
Vere, 30, and Zimbabwe-born Alexandra, 27, who is known as Mwana, or 'little one' in the Shona language, plan to marry next year.
The news was being celebrated last night. 'We are over the moon and delighted Mwana is joining our family,' said Lady Rothermere.
'It is like having another daughter. She is a lovely, gorgeous girl.'
Vere, whose father Jonathan is chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc, publishers of the Daily Mail, MailOnline and The Mail on Sunday, was educated at Eton and St Peter's College, Oxford, where he read history.
After working for BCG, the global management consulting group, he joined the family firm, learning all aspects of the publishing business. He has held a string of senior roles and is currently chief commercial officer for DMG Media.
Mwana, the daughter of tobacco farmers, was educated at Peterhouse Girls, one of the top independent schools in southern Africa.
She is a project manager in the construction industry and currently completing a master's in construction economics at University College London.
But it was their shared love of horses and riding that was to lead to romance.
Alexandra was hired as one of the guides for a Rothermere family holiday in Kenya's wild and beautiful Masai Mara region – and the couple have been inseparable ever since.
Alexandra rides and plays polo as does Vere, who, in 2013, led Eton to a thumping victory over rivals Harrow.
He was part of another memorable winning team when Oxford beat Cambridge in the 2015 Varsity Polo Match.
The daughter of Duncan Wood and Hilary Campbell, Alexandra is the youngest of four – hence her nickname.
She has three older brothers: Tommy who's based in Marondera, south of Harare; Hugo who lives in Zambia, and James, a farmer in Herefordshire.
She also has two half-siblings, Emily and Victoria.
This weekend, Alexandra was sporting an exquisite marquise cut diamond ring chosen by Vere.
The proposal was conducted in time-honoured tradition, after some meticulous planning.
On Saturday, despite indifferent weather, he asked her on a walk to Win Green, a beauty spot close to the Rothermere family country home, with views over the Wiltshire countryside. It was there that Vere dropped to one knee.
'I am thrilled that she said "yes", and so excited and happy about this next chapter in our lives,' Vere said last night. 'I'm so very lucky that she is taking me on.'
The couple share a home in Notting Hill, west London with their one-year-old Cairn terrier, Toto. It's thought life won't change too much – at least to start with.
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The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland have suffered a system malfunction
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside story of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham sacking with Daniel Levy rift that worsened during Europa League run
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Levy turned to Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, after being snubbed by Arne Slot who had decided to stay at Feyenoord for one more season ahead of his switch to Liverpool. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Postecoglou even described himself as 'the last man standing' in the race to succeed Antonio Conte. But the Athens-born Aussie, who had never previously managed in Europe's top five major leagues before, got off to a stunning start by taking 26 points from his first 30 available. That was despite the club selling their record goal-scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich on the eve of the season. After an unbeaten first ten Prem games, Spurs were five points clear at the top of the table and anything seemed possible under Postecoglou. Fans took to singing a version of Robbie Williams' Angels regularly after matches, with the key lyrics altered to 'I'm loving Big Ange instead'. 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Teams started to wise up to Spurs' style of inverted full-backs and clever cut-backs - as well as exposing the gaps they left at the back. Eric Dier, who left to join Kane at Bayern Munich in January, later claimed that Postecoglou 'really doesn't do barely any tactical work, what he does is every single training drill from Monday to Friday is drawn up to represent the way he wants to play.' Van de Ven and Maddison being sidelined disrupted the team's rhythm and they ended up being pipped by Aston Villa to fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Injuries decimated Postecoglou's squad in his second season - with the Aussie's intense pressing style accused of being a contributing factor - and the league campaign began to unravel. Raw teenage talent had mainly been added in the summer - although £65million was spent on striker Dominic Solanke - and it told. 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Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Josh Kelly's and Remy Smith's doomed marriage from lavish wedding to sad split
Boxer Josh Kelly is returning to the ring and taking on Flavius Biea at the Newcastle Arena. Here, the Mirror looks back at the 'Pretty Boy' welterweight's former relationship with Remy Smith Josh 'Pretty Boy' Kelly, 31, is stepping back into the ring and taking on Flavius Biea, 35, at the Newcastle Arena - with hopes that securing a win will set him up for a fight with Connor 'Destroyer' Benn. With the former Olympian heading into his 19th professional fight, he has said he is keen to build on the momentum from the big fight - which will air on Channel 5 - and that he's ready to "enjoy" himself in the ring. "Whatever comes. I am just looking to go in there and enjoy myself," he has said. "When I am enjoying it, I am at my best, so whatever comes, I am just going to go in there and enjoy myself and forget about everything else. It is another fight, I have had 150 odd at amateur at the top level, now it is going to be my 19th fight as a pro, so it is all good... I cannot wait!" Both men are on good form, with the Romanian fighter enjoying a 12-match winning streak, and Kelly winning six fights previously - so boxing fans are bound to be in for a treat with this one. Whilst Kelly is going from strength to strength professionally - the 'Pretty Boy' of British boxing - who was previously a model - is increasingly attracting more attention outside of the ring and boasts 422,000 followers on Instagram. So what is life like outside of the ring for the 31-year-old dad of two? Here, the Mirror explores his life away from the spotlight and marriage to ex-wife Remy Smith. Early days of romance Josh and Remy - an influencer with 18,100 followers on Instagram - started dating in their early 20s, with Remy sharing a sweet snap of Josh leaning against the ropes of a boxing ring back in 2017, the same year he turned from amateur to professional. In another post dedicated to her partner in 2017, Remy captioned a sweet series of photographs of the pair with a touching tribute to Josh on his birthday. "Happy birthday to the fiancé...I just want to say I am so proud of an inspiration to so many people out there and that's something you should be proud working hard and I'll support you all the way through". Remy added: "It's only the beginning for you pbk [Pretty Boy Kelly]...thanks for making me the happiest girl ever. I love you from the bottom of my heart..." Hilariously, the couple also accidentally went viral in 2017, after a perspective-boggling holiday snap took the internet by storm. The image saw the couple standing in front of palm tree, but Remy just so happened to be carrying a handbag that was exactly the same colour as the tree's bark, which made it look like she was effortlessly carrying an entire tree. Remy took the internet's confusion in her stride, jokingly posting on her Instagram a screenshot from a Daily Mail article of the moment and captioning it: "My strength is seriously going viral now," and tagging her then-fiancé. Lavish Mayfair Wedding The pair tied the knot two years later in June 2019, in a seriously lavish ceremony. Boxing legend Frank Bruno was said to be in attendance, having been a mentor to Josh. Other big name guests reportedly included David Seaman, his wife Frankie who appeared on Dancing on Ice, as well as Ashley and Dawn Ward, and other faces from the boxing scene. Remy wore a stunning bridal gown designed by Galia Lahav with a dramatic long veil that featured intricate embroidery around the edge. Josh opted for a timeless white suit jacket by Tom Ford, with a black bow tie and smart, matching trousers. The couple tied the knot at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic church bang slap in the middle of one of London's most luxurious neighbourhoods. They then hosted a reception for all 165 of their loved ones - per the wedding photographer, Roberta Facchini - at the elite Royal Horseguards Hotel. The photographer also revealed that the guests were kept entertained by a magician and that the dinner was accompanied by "touching speeches" adding that, "the ambience of the beautiful reception was classy sophistication with a healthy touch of down-to-earth". When it came to the flowers, no expense was spared, with gorgeous arrangements placed on every table, and an incredibly extravagant flower arch behind the top table. Similarly, the wedding cake was stunning - with delicate floral decorations on the seven-tiered creation. Finally, when it came time to take to the dancefloor, the newlyweds chose Always Remember Us This Way - from the A Star Is Born soundtrack - for their first dance before their loved ones joined them for a boogie. Growing family The couple share two sons, the eldest of whom was present at their wedding. The boxer and Remy welcomed Joshua Junior to their family in the Autumn of 2018, with Remy sharing a heartwarming post in tribute to her first born: a photo of Joshua Junior as a tiny baby cuddling up to a massive, oversized teddy bear. " Little man is one week old today and what a week it's been," she wrote. "It's been the most amazing no love like it! I couldn't have done it without you the most amazing daddy and he is so lucky to have you," she added, tagging her partner, who seemed to have been called away from the newborn bubble for a boxing obligation. "We are missing you but tomorrow is the night you get under them lights again we are so proud of you! We can't wait to cheer you on and have you home again! Our champ". In May 2020, the couple welcomed their second son: Roman Paul Kelly. At the time social distancing restrictions were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made labour for many women more lonely and frightening. Whilst Remy didn't share any details on how, or if, the pandemic impacted her experience giving birth, she hinted that it had been something of an overwhelming experience when she announced on social media that Roman had arrived. "Here he is it's certainly been a ride the last 24 hours, but our 6 pound 5 bundle of joy Roman Paul love you with all our hearts and can't wait to take you home to your big brother". Break u While both Remy and Josh regularly post their two beautiful sons on their social media - it seems the young couple have called it quits on their romance. The last time Josh mentioned his former wife on his social media was back in February 2023, when he captioned a holiday snap of himself with JJ and Roman by saying, "Love seeing my two boys growing up nothing more more sun and sand soon to and cheese these me and the wife @remykellyx live for these two little men." Remy has also changed her Instagram handle back to Smith, changing it from her married name of Kelly. What's more, Josh and Remy have also posted snaps with new partners this year, so it seems the pair have both moved on from the split. These days, 'Pretty Boy Kelly' is now dating a digital creator and founder of a marketing agency - Bego Maestro, who lives in Seville. The couple seem to be making it work long distance, with Bego captioning a post about Josh by saying, "The one who didn't want to love, is counting the days to see you again... "After all these months, the distance still makes me ball but without a doubt, having a date to see each other again makes the difference," and hinted that she was excited for the big fight, "Countdown begins to see us and your big proud of you". Bego and Josh have enjoyed a series of holidays together, heading on a luxury holiday to Dubai in recent months, and also taking his two little boys on holiday, including on a day to a waterpark. Remy also seems to have found new love, posting a series of cute snaps with her current partner, and captioning one: "Finding my best friend and soulmate in one person is truly special. Thank you for the endless giggles and smiles! I love you forever" and in another writing, "No one comes close".
