EXCLUSIVE: Petra Ecclestone and Sam Palmer married in a ‘very romantic small gathering’ as first details of the lavish London ceremony are shared
- The F1 heiress, 32, married the businessman, 38, in a lavish ceremony in London, the location for which was kept closely guarded
- Sam confirmed the news he had wed by sharing a snap of his wedding ring as he donned a smart black suit and wrote in the caption: ‘Can’t believe I’m a married man!’
- On Friday morning Petra’s £170million London mansion was a hive of activity as delivery trucks dropped off dresses and multiple floral arrangements for the celebrations
- News of the nuptials broke when Petra’s father, former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, told FEMAIL: ‘They’re getting married this weekend, somewhere in London’
Petra Ecclestone married her new husband Sam Palmer in a ‘small romantic ceremony’ at her £170 million Chelsea home on Saturday surrounded by family and their famous friends, MailOnline can reveal.
The F1 heiress, 32, and the businessman, 38, tied the knot at 5pm in front of family and some of their famous friends, while a party insider also revealed that children were welcome at the lavish do.
Sam first confirmed the news he had wed by sharing a snap of his wedding ring as he donned a smart black suit and wrote in the caption: ‘Can’t believe I’m a married man!’
Hours before he took to his Instagram Story as he travelled to the ceremony where he looked dapper in his suit which he teamed with suave sunglasses.
Love: Petra Ecclestone and Sam Palmer are MARRIED! The F1 heiress, 32, and the businessman tied the knot in a lavish London ceremony on Saturday surrounded by family and their famous friends (pictured together)
Sam also shared a snap with his ushers – which included his new wife’s brother-in-law Jay Rutland – and reshared a glimpse at his wedding breakfast menu.
Guests were able to select from pomodoro pasta or risotto and sea bass fillet or chicken milanese, before they were served ice cream dessert and coffee to follow. The food came from from Ms Ecclestone’s favourite restaurant, C in Mayfair.
Attendees gathered in the Georgian mansion’s landscaped gardens – the largest in London’s Kensington and Chelsea borough – to watch the ceremony and the newlyweds were met with claps and cheers as they made their vows to the strains of a string quartet.
Friends described the day as ‘small and intimate’ – a deliberate contrast to Petra’s ostentatious £12 million wedding to her first husband James Stunt in Italy in August 2011.
Tamara made an emotional speech, hailing her sister as her best friend and sharing childhood anecdotes to the amusement of guests.
Tycoon Mr Ecclestone, 91, who learned last week that he would be charged with tax fraud, was not spotted entering the property but friends said that he gave his daughter away.
Here we go! Hours before he took to his Instagram Story as he travelled to the ceremony where he looked dapper in his suit which he teamed with suave sunglasses
Slavica, his ex-wife and the mother of his two daughters, was also present, while sources said that reality star Paris Hilton was expected to attend.
Earlier in the evening famous guests including footballer Cesc Fabregas and his wife Daniella Semaan led the star-studded arrivals to the ceremony.
The sportsman, 35, cut a dapper figure in a black suit while Daniella, 47, looked effortlessly glamorous in a long silver gown and had her hair styled to perfection.
Preparations were well underway earlier in the day, with Petra – the youngest daughter of billionaire Bernie Ecclestone – seen receiving deliveries of flowers, chandeliers and ahead of the nuptials, the location for which was kept closely guarded.
Best men! Sam also shared a snap with his ushers – which included his new wife’s brother-in-law Jay Rutland – and reshared a glimpse at his wedding breakfast menu
Other wedding attendees were seen arriving in their finery while the last flowers and other items were delivered.
Some of the younger guests were also seen making their entrance, with two girls who looked like they might be bridesmaids wearing matching white puffy dresses.
Earlier on Saturday the stunning home was a hive of activity as delivery trucks dropped off dresses and multiple floral arrangements for the celebrations, as well as grand chandeliers and white seating.
Workers could also be seen sweeping up outside the gate to make sure everything looked perfect, while multiple white flower arrangements were lined up along the exterior wall before being taken in.
Looking good: Earlier in the evening famous guests including footballer Cesc Fabregas and his wife Daniella Semaan led the star-studded arrivals to the ceremony
Exciting: Preparations were well underway earlier in the day, with Petra receiving deliveries of flowers, chandeliers and ahead of the nuptials, the location for which is being kept closely guarded
One employee was in charge of backing up a truck laden with greenery into the drive, while another member of the team carried towering trees inside the home, which already boasts the biggest garden in London’s upmarket Kensington and Chelsea.
It comes after earlier in the day Sam wished her a ‘Happy Wedding Day’ as the couple prepared to say ‘I do’.
Hours before walking down the aisle, Sam took to Instagram to share a plethora of loved-up snaps of the couple and their children, with Sam calling beauty Petra the ‘absolute love of my life’.
Amid the sweet images Sam shared, the happy couple could be seen beaming away at the camera, with several seeing them on luxurious sun-soaked holidays.
Guest list: Other guests were seen arriving in their finery while the last flowers and other items were delivered
Looking dapper: Another guest wore a smart black suit with a white shirt and very shiny shoes while the women wore dresses
Arrivals: Other men were seen making their way to the venue in smart black suits
Ready for the wedding: The smartly-dressed guests made their arrivals and looked ready for the occasion
While Sam also shared a snapshot of life with their young family – their daughter Millie, 18 months, and Petra’s kids Lavinia, nine, and twins Andrew Kulbir and James Robert Frederick, six, whom she shares with ex James Stunt.
The loved-up post was met with supportive messages from fans and famous pals.
Sofia Richie commented: ‘So excited for you two.’
Cute: Younger guests were seen arriving in pretty matching white dresses
Dropping off: The smart guests were taken to the wedding in a huge white taxi
Busy: The stunning home was a hive of activity as delivery trucks dropped off dresses and multiple floral arrangements for the celebrations, as well as grand chandeliers and white seating
Big day: The F1 heiress, 32, is due to marry fiancé Sam in a luxurious ceremony in London, the location for which is being kept closely guarded
Prep: Workers could also be seen sweeping up outside the gate to make sure everything looked perfect, while multiple white flower arrangements were lined up along the exterior wall before being taken in
Pretty: One employee was in charge of backing up a truck laden with greenery into the drive, while another member of the team carried towering trees inside the home
Nice: The huge home already boasts the biggest garden in London’s upmarket Kensington and Chelsea
Deliveries! One man who wore a smart navy jacket was seen dropping off a huge Louis Vuitton bag
Seating: Hundreds of white chairs were being dropped off in a huge lorry that parked up outside the mansion in Kensington
Lavish: In another delivery the men unloaded a glitzy silver chandelier that was covered over with a white sheet
Working up a sweat: The workmen were then seen carrying the chairs into the house ahead of the wedding
Secret: While the deliveries were being made to Petra’s home, her wedding location has not been revealed
Equipment: Other workmen were seen with black suitcases making their deliveries
While the deliveries were being made to Petra’s home, her wedding location has not been revealed.
The bride is reportedly so fearful that her ex-husband James Stunt could sabotage her day that she is keeping the main location secret.
James has been accused of being part of a £266million money-laundering gang.
Sweet: Earlier in the day, hours before walking down the aisle, the businessman, 38, took to Instagram to share a plethora of loved-up snaps of the couple and their children, with Sam calling Petra the ‘absolute love of my life’
Exciting! Sam shared a special message for his wife-to-be as they excitedly counted down the hours until their wedding
All set: It comes as preparations were well underway on Friday with bride-to-be Petra seen receiving deliveries ahead of the nuptials, the location for which is being kept closely guarded
What a life: Amid the sweet images Sam shared, the happy couple could be seen beaming away at the camera, with several seeing them on luxurious sun-soaked holidays
Cute: While Sam also shared a snapshot of life with their young family – their daughter Millie, 18 months, and Petra’s kids Lavinia , nine, and twins Andrew Kulbir and James Robert Frederick, six, whom she shares with ex James Stunt
That’s our girl: The couple share little Millie together
The one: Sam had nothing but good words to say about his bride-to-be Petra
MailOnline exclusively revealed she arrived in the capital with Sam, 38 and her four children from their home in California for the big day.
Now The Sun has reported that Petra is refusing to tell guests the exact location until the last minute due to her worries about James.
A source told the publication: ‘All brides get nervous before their wedding but for Petra it’s been amplified over her fears about James.
Little Princess: On Saturday, Tamara posted a sweet snap of her flower girl daughter Sophia, eight, in her satin pyjamas and a sparkly tiara
That’s my girl: The proud mum also uploaded an image of her youngest daughter Serena’s personalised slippers
‘The best me have arrived’: Sam also shared a photo of Petra’s twin sons, who are page boys, dressed in matching blue satin pyjamas
Man of the hour: The groom soon followed up with a dapper snap of himself in his wedding suit and sunglasses
It’s happening! Deliveries continued to arrive at Petra’s home on Saturday – including a stunning wedding cake – as preparations continued for the ceremony
Bling bling: A dazzling chandelier stood glittering beneath the marquee
Displays: An array of plants and greenery was seen being delivered for the nuptials
Wedding bells: Bride-to-be Petra Ecclestone received deliveries at her London home on Friday ahead of her wedding to Sam this weekend
Transporting: Huge teams of workers and wedding planners were seen unloading a van as they set up the marquee for the wedding
Setting up; A huge marquee was seen being set up on Friday ahead of the weekend wedding, with scorching temperatures set to grace the big day
Clearance: Workers were seen clearing plants as they set up for the much-anticipated wedding
Although they have not been together since 2017 their divorce was nasty and they traded a lot of blows online.
‘Petra says she wouldn’t put it past James to try to take the shine off her big day, so she has gone all out to make sure nothing can go wrong.
She has hired a really heavy- duty security team to make sure that nothing can go wrong on the day. As well as that, she has kept the exact details of the event close to her chest.
Decorations: Floral displays were unloaded by workers of The Artful Florist to decorate the wedding venue
Fortune: A massive load of decorations could be seen outside the mansion when the black gates opened up
Busy busy: Workers and event planners are seen at the £120 million pound Chelsea home
Lavish ceremony: The weddings looks as though it will feature a lot of greenery
Getting hot in here: It appeared the bride and groom were worrying abut the extreme temperatures forecast for this weekend with a temperature control specialist van parked inside
‘Even her dad Bernie and sister Tamara have not been told some of the finer details. And her guests have yet to be given the exact location, even though the big day is just two days away.’
MailOnline has contacted a rep for Petra for comment.
Ahead of her impending nuptials, Petra celebrated her hen do with her nearest and dearest including her sister Tamara at a boozy dinner party held at London private member’s club 22 Mayfair on Thursday.
London abode: Petra’s eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom, 20,000sq ft Georgian-style home comes complete with the biggest garden in London’s upmarket Kensington and Chelsea
Security: While the deliveries were being made to Petra’s home, her wedding location has not been revealed as the bride is reportedly so fearful that her ex-husband James Stunt could sabotage her day that she is keeping the location secret
From LA to London: MailOnline exclusively revealed bride-to-be Petra arrived in the capital with Sam, 38 and her four children from their home in California for the big day
Ex: A source told the publication: ‘All brides get nervous before their wedding but for Petra it’s been amplified over her fears about James. Although they have not been together since 2017 their divorce was nasty and they traded a lot of blows online’
Loved up: Petra is due to marry her fiancé Sam this weekend in London, after jetting over from their primary home in LA
The 33-year-old heiress’ hen do featured a pink-themed dinner party, butlers in the buff and masks which featured the image of Petra’s face on the front for all of her gal pals to wear.
In the fun snaps, Petra sported a bejewelled captain’s hat which had the word ‘bride’ spelt out on the front of in pearl beads.
Snapshots from the evening shared on social media show a dinner table adorned with pink floral decorations and candles as well as miniature bottles of pink champagne.
Party time! Petra celebrated her hen do with her nearest and dearest including her sister Tamara at a boozy dinner party held at London private member’s club 22 Mayfair on Thursday
The group sat down to dinner, clips revealed the hens donning Petra masks and being waited on by butlers in the buff, serving food in nothing but trousers and a bow tie.
Petra and her friends sips on glasses of bubbly and mojito cocktails.
Meanwhile, Sam celebrated his stag do on Thursday with a boozy night out with his pals, including Jay Rutland, husband of Petra’s sister Tamara.
Woweee! The 33-year-old heiress’ hen do featured a pink-themed dinner party, butlers in the buff and masks which featured the image of Petra’s face on the front for all of her gal pals to wear
Sister time! For the night of festivities, Petra showcased her sensational figure in a strapless metallic blue mini dress, which she styled with gold jewellery
Last night of freedom! In the fun snaps, Petra sported a bejewelled captain’s hat which had the word ‘bride’ spelt out on the front of in pearl beads
Celebrations: The group sat down to dinner, clips revealed the hens donning Petra masks and being waited on by butlers in the buff, serving food in nothing but trousers and a bow tie
Ladies’ night: The girls certainly appeared to be having a great time
The real estate agent uploaded Instagram snaps showing himself posing among a large group of friends as they celebrated his last night of freedom.
He also shared a shot of himself and Jay beaming to the camera as they enjoyed a beer during the fun night out.
News of the nuptials broke when Petra’s father, former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, told FEMAIL: ‘They’re getting married this weekend, somewhere in London. I don’t know the exact location because Petra hasn’t told me yet.
‘It’s wonderful news. Let’s hope she will be happier than she was in her last marriage.’
Good times: Meanwhile, Sam celebrated his stag do on Thursday with a boozy night out with his pals, including Jay Rutland, husband of Petra’s sister Tamara
Cheers! He also shared a shot of himself and Jay beaming to the camera as they enjoyed a beer during the fun night out
Petra, who is worth an estimated £350 million, divorced businessman James Stunt, 40, in 2017 after six years of marriage.
She has since had her youngest child Millie, 18 months, with Sam who is chief of a recruitment company.
Mr Ecclestone, 91 added: ”I will of course be going but won’t be making a speech because I only make comments. My comment on Petra’s forthcoming marriage is that I think she’s chosen a good guy.
‘I don’t know Sam very well because they live in the States and I don’t see them very often.
‘I’ve met him a few times and like him. Hopefully, I’ll get to know him a little better.
Ex: Petra, who is worth an estimated £350 million, divorced businessman James Stunt in 2017 after six years of marriage (pictured in 2011)
Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is set to be charged with fraud by false representation ‘after failing to declare £400m worth of assets held overseas’
Former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone is to be charged over an alleged £400m fraud following an HMRC probe.
The CPS has authorised the action over allegations of fraud by false representation.
It follows what HMRC called a ‘complex and worldwide criminal investigation’.
Andrew Penhale, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: ‘The CPS has reviewed a file of evidence from HMRC and has authorised a charge against Bernard Ecclestone of fraud by false representation in respect of his failure to declare to HMRC the existence of assets held overseas believed to be worth in excess of £400m.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
‘They’ve just recently got back to England for the ceremony and I’m looking forward to going to their wedding and meeting up with them.’
Mr Ecclestone admitted that he was not involved in any of the arrangements for the wedding, which is being organised by events company Banana Splits, and had ‘no idea’ how big or lavish it would be.
He said: ‘I don’t know any of the details. I just know that I’ve got to be there this weekend.
‘I’m waiting for Petra to call me to give me all the information.’
The couple live in a lavish home in Los Angeles and Sam regularly posts pictures of their family life on social media.
Following her divorce from Mr Stunt, it was reported that he had signed a £16m prenup, with Petra also awarded sole custody of the couple’s three children: Lavinia Stunt, nine, and twins Andrew Kulbir and James Robert Frederick, six.
Petra and Sam, who is a former used car salesman from Essex, met in late 2017 through her brother-in-law Jay Rutland, who is married to her sister Tamara.
As the couple built a new life in the US, last year it was reported that Petra had submitted legal documents to change her children’s surname from Stunt to her own.
The move was supported by her father who has publicly criticised her ex-husband in the past.
Mr Ecclestone added: ‘I’m sure Sam is a lot better than Petra’s ex-husband.’
It has been reported that the children call Sam ‘dad’, and he has spoken candidly in the past about his fractious relationship with Petra’s ex-husband and baby daddy James, who has often hit back.
The couple live in an £18.5 million ($22 million) in Los Angeles which Petra purchased in 2019 after selling her more luxurious US home for a mouth-watering £101 million ($119.7).
The couple revealed last autumn that they were hoping to sell their London mansion off-market.
The eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom, 20,000sq ft Georgian-style home comes complete with the biggest garden in London’s upmarket Kensington and Chelsea and also has a cinema room, and beauty salon, 16ft fish tank and custom built chandelier with 150,000 Swarovski crystals.
Daddy’s girl: Petra’s father, former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, said it was ‘wonderful’ news for the couple – but said he wouldn’t be giving a speech at the event (pictured in 2017)
Proud parents: Mr Eccelstone had socialite daughters Tamara and Petra with second wife Slavica Radić (pictured in 2008)
Family: Petra welcomed her youngest child, Millie, with fiancé Sam Palmer in April last year, and shares Lavinia, nine, and twins James and Andrew, six, with ex-husband James
Bernie Ecclestone: Who are billionaire Formula One boss’ children?
DEBORAH ECCLESTONE: Age 65
Bernie’s eldest daughter Deborah was born in 1955 after marrying his first wife Ivy Bamford aged 21 in 1952.
The Formula 1 boss divorced Ivy in the 60s and Deborah is said to have lived with her mother.
Deborah shuns the spotlight and is notoriously private.
Bernie is a great-grandfather as Deborah’s children have had children.
TAMARA ECCLESTONE: Age 36
Daughter: Bernie welcomed Tamara in 1984 (pictured together), with his second wife Slavica Radić
Ecclestone had a 17-year relationship with Tuana Tan, which ended in 1984 when Slavica Radić, later his second wife, became pregnant.
Tamara was welcomed later that year.
The heiress was educated at Francis Holland School in London and can speak English, Croatian and Italian.
Tamara was the presenter of Sky Sports Italia’s coverage of the 2009 Formula 1 season and went on to star in her own reality show.
She married husband Jay Rutland in 2013, and later welcomed their daughter Sophia, now six.
PETRA ECCLESTONE: Age 32
Heiress: Petra was born in London as the younger daughter of former Armani model Slavica and Formula One billionaire Bernie (pictured in 2018)
Petra was born in London as the younger daughter of former Armani model Slavica and Formula One billionaire Bernie.
She contracted viral meningitis at the age of 14, and said it ‘changed her life forever’ and is now ‘a health freak and a hypochondriac’.
At the age of 19, she created the menswear label FORM, which was sold into retailers including Harrods from October 2008.
On 27 August 2011, Ecclestone married businessman James Stunt. She gave birth to their first child, daughter Lavinia Stunt, in February 2013.
In April 2015 she gave birth to twin boys, James Robert Fredrick Stunt Jr and Andrew Kulbir Stunt.
They divorced in 2017, and she reverted to her maiden name.
She has since welcomed her forth child, a daughter, with fiancé Sam Palmer.
Bernie, meanwhile, divorced Slavica in 2009, where she was reportedly granted a $1 to 1.5 billion settlement.
ACE ECCLESTONE: Welcomed June 2020
Bernie became a father for the fourth time aged 89.
The Formula One boss’ wife Fabiana Flosi, 44, has given birth to a boy named Ace.
The couple announced they were expecting a baby in April.
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