After seven years, seven months, and four days of dating, Anthony Pattinson finally popped the question and proposed to Emily Blunt. While the couple were on holiday in Scotland, they held a romantic ceremony surrounded by their loved ones. The actress received a stunning emerald ring from her beau as fans around the world watched on TV in amazement.
The couple’s engagement was announced several weeks ago, on February 24, but their special day was kept a secret until now. According to People Magazine, the England-born actress felt nervous about revealing the news while on holiday in Scotland with her new husband.
A rep for the pair tells Fox News, “They would like to respectfully announce that they are married. As a celebration of their love and commitment, they would like to invite their family and friends to a small but memorable wedding ceremony followed by a reception in London in the coming months.”
Blunt, 38, and Pattinson, 40, met on the set of 2011’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and began dating. While in London for the movie’s premiere, the Victoria Beckham–clad actress received a diamond ring from the British actor. They were subsequently spotted out together in London and Edinburgh a number of times before finally accepting his proposal. (In January 2012, Blunt revealed that her favorite engagement ring was a diamond. She added that she would like to have a different ring for every anniversary. “It would depend on what kind of stone suits me best at the time,” she said. “I think it’s lovely that I can adapt the ring to fit my lifestyle and what’s available in the market at the time.”)
The Star-Struck Crowd
While the world’s media was busy celebrating the engagement, some were quick to point out that Emily Blunt is one of the most famous stars on the planet. One Twitter user wrote, “I know @EmilyBlunt is married now but just looking at her engagement ring collection is making me feel really happy for her.” Another Twitter user added, “Just looking at @EmilyBlunt’s exquisite diamond collection makes me feel so happy for her.”
Other users simply pointed out that Blunt is a beautiful woman and that they were so happy for her.
Blunt is indeed a stunning woman. According to Wikipedia, she became known for her role as Abigail in the 2011 film The Hunt for the Golden Sparrow. That same year, she starred in the historical drama The Wife with Robert Carlyle. (She won an Empire Award for her performance.)
Since then, Blunt has appeared in a string of Hollywood blockbusters including The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and its sequel, The Battle of the Five Armies—Continued. She also starred in the comedy Killing Eve as well as the action-adventure film The Zookeeper’s Wife. In 2014, she played Glinda the Good Witch in the live action adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. (The film was directed by the same person who helmed the wonderful 2011 film The Princess Carriage.)
Blunt is also known for her advocacy of English speaking film festivals. She has spoken out in favor of the London International Film Festival and its sister event, the BFI London Film Festival. According to the Evening Standard, the British actress has said, “The best part of going to a film festival is picking up new languages. I can’t believe how many people can’t even speak English so well that they can follow the plot. It’s incredible. In all my years of going to film festivals, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
While many were happy for Emily Blunt, others felt she was playing a bit too much to the gallery.
A Twitter user wrote, “@EmilyBlunt If you want to make your husband happy on your special day, put his team of Irish wolfhounds on your big day list. They’ll make him believe in true love forever.” Another wrote, “@EmilyBlunt Make sure to have your cake and eat it. You can’t please everyone.” Still another tweeted, “@EmilyBlunt That wedding dress has to go. You look like a gift from above.”
The Big Day
The couple’s big day was certainly memorable. On April 20, 2015, Emily Blunt finally made the grand entrance into the ballroom in a stunning black dress. She was escorted by her mother, father, and brother, Luke, who is an actor. (He has appeared in TV series such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Fortunes of War.)
The dress was by Ralph & Elton, and it is one of the most exquisite dresses the Duchess of Cambridge has worn. (The two have become firm friends, and in recent months, Kate has sported Ralph & Elton’s exquisite gowns on a number of occasions. On one of the most recent occasions, in January 2015, Kate wore an elegant black and white dress by the designers.)
After exchanging vows with her husband, Anthony, a British Consul, the couple were delighted to announce that they are expecting their first child. (The actress’ grandmother, Alice, who attended the wedding with Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, was also delighted to hear the news.)
The following day, the newlyweds attended a private reception at London’s Goring Hotel. (The venue is owned by the Aga Khan.) There, they were presented with an ode penned by Emily’s nephew, Tamasin Cole, that was composed for the big day. (The couple invited Tamasin to attend their wedding, and the young man had the honor of giving the speech.)
Tamasin wrote, “I am so happy that you’ve found each other. Today, you made this world a little bit brighter. You are both beautiful in my eyes and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.” The couple also unveiled their first-born child and heir to the throne, Alfred, to the world. (The heir to the throne is given the traditional title of Prince of Wales, and since 2010, he has been the Prince of Wales.)
The couple’s first son, Prince Alfred, is already a father himself. On April 7, 2015, Emily gave birth to the boy, officially becoming an aunt. (Prince William is the boy’s uncle.)
It is safe to say that the couple’s wedding and babymoon were a memorable event. (They are currently on holiday in Scotland with their newborn son.) While the world was happy for the Hollywood stars, some saw the marriage as a money-making venture. (They will be living in London while Anthony works in the Foreign Office.)
One Twitter user wrote, “@EmilyBlunt What’s the point of getting married if you’re not doing it for real? Seems to me like the perfect day would be filled with all the emotions you’ve bottled up over the years. You wouldn’t want to miss a second of it, would you?” Another Twitter user wrote, “@EmilyBlunt How much did that wedding cost the taxpayer?? I’ve been trying to work out how much that dress alone cost the taxpayer. It’s a good job you were married in a church! Otherwise we might have to pay for your dress multiple times over. #idiots.”
Many were quick to defend Emily. (One wrote, “@EmilyBlunt People need to stop and think for a second why you’d want to marry a man you’ve only just met. Your fans have been there for you through thick and thin, and this is your way of thanking them. You’re a beautiful woman with an incredible career, and you deserve to be happy.” Another wrote, “@EmilyBlunt What’s wrong with wanting to find your soulmate? Don’t all good stories end in happiness?” Yet another added, “@EmilyBlunt You’ve been through a lot, and I’m sure you’ll go through even more. But that’s the thing about courage and determination: You can’t buy them. They must be earned every day.”
While some saw the wedding as a money-making venture, others thought it was a real display of courage. (In the past, celebrities have held off on getting married until their 30s. Nowadays, it’s much more common to see them tie the knot at a young age.) According to a 2015 survey, 47% of respondents said getting married before 30 was the ideal stage of a romantic relationship. (Respondents were nearly equally divided between those who wanted to wait until their early 20s and those who wanted to tie the knot sooner.)