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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Kyle O'Sullivan & Courtney Pochin

Spice Girl Geri Horner's modern marriage - messy start, in-laws rift and blended family

Red Bull Racing CEO, Christian Horner, caused a stir online after sharing a snap of his BBQ amid the heatwave in the UK.

The 49-year-old, who has two stunning country homes in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire with his Spice Girl wife, was branded "all money no taste" over the picture.

While Christian looked impressed with his cooking efforts, social media users ripped into the "pale" chicken, claiming it would lack "flavour".

While many may likely know the former racing driver is married to 50-year-old Geri Horner (née Halliwell), it's likely they don't know much else about their love story, which started rather rockily after Christian left his ex-partner.

The Spice Girl had a rocky start to her relationship with her husband (Getty Images)

Geri and Christian first met in 2009 due to Geri's friendship with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, but it was never suggested there were any romantic feelings at this stage as Christian was with his long-term partner Beverley Allen.

Christian and Beverley were together for 14 years but reportedly split shortly after she gave birth to their daughter, Olivia.

Just six months after Olivia was born in October 2014, Christian went public with his relationship with Geri, and in November 2014, they announced their engagement in The Times newspaper.

A diamond expert claimed at the time in Hello! Magazine that the engagement ring likely cost a whopping £80,000.

In May 2015, the couple tied the knot at St Mary's Church in Woburn, Bedfordshire, with Geri wearing a dress by British designer Phillipa Lepley.

Guests included fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Amanda Holden, Myleene Klass, and Jennifer Saunders among others.

Christian's parents refused to attend the wedding (REX/Shutterstock)

However, the special occasion was marred by the absence of Christian's parents, who weren't in attendance as they'd refused to go to the wedding.

It seems the couple's marriage got off to a messy start, with several of Christian's family members boycotting their big day, as they were reportedly disappointed in the speed with which he moved on from Beverley, especially given his daughter's recent birth.

Speaking from their home in Gloucestershire before the big day, Christian's mum told The Sunday Mirror said: "You can say that his parents are absolutely devastated. We won’t be going to the wedding.

"There is a lot more to this story than people know about – to do with his ex-partner."

A friend of the couple also said at the time: "Over the years Christian has been very close to his parents – particularly to his dad who shares his love of motor racing – but recent events have thrown everything into doubt. His mum is particularly upset.

"It's a real shame and everyone involved is upset.

"Weddings are expected to bring families closer together, but this engagement has driven a wedge between people."

She says Christian is her 'best friend' (Getty Images)

The relationship between Christain and his parents finally started to repair in 2016.

Christian is said to have spent time with his mum and dad ahead of the Grand Prix in Monaco after not speaking for a serious length of time, according to a source.

This paved the way for Geri to start to have a relationship with her in-laws and things seem to have been patched up as they have all since been on family holidays together.

Geri also worked to forge a relationship with Christian's ex, Beverley, for the sake of their children.

"Geri is sick of being painted as a home wrecker. She wants to be a good stepmother to Olivia, and for all three siblings to grow up with a good relationship, so she is determined to be on civil terms," a source told Closer in 2017.

"She knows there's been a lot of heartache, but thinks that inviting Beverley over for children's birthday teas is a good start towards building bridges between them."

Geri says they have a 'modern, blended family' (Getty Images)

The mum, who also has a daughter Bluebell Madonna from a previous relationship with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, welcomed her first child with Christian in 2017, a son named Montague George Hector Horner.

Christian also has his daughter Olivia and together they've formed a blended family.

As reported by Hello! Magazine, the dad has previously spoken about their situation, saying: "I have a great relationship with Beverley and Beverley gets on with Geri, and Geri is great with Olivia and Olivia has a lovely relationship with Monty. It's totally harmonious."

Geri also previously told the publication: " We've gone from it being just Bluebell and me for so long, to this blended, modern family."

The couple and their kids now share two stunning country homes in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire - with one boasting its own duck pond and farm with three miniature donkeys, goats, plus stables for 14 horses.

Geri previously described her husband as her best friend, saying: "He knows me inside out. I don't edit myself with him. It was a big learning curve."

Meanwhile, Christian previously told The Telegraph that they "complement" each other.

He said: "Life works in mysterious ways. didn't marry Geri because she's a Spice Girl.

"I married her because I fell in love with her. It will be 10 years this time next year, and we've been happily married for seven. We're very different characters, but we complement each other well."

Before getting married, Geri had been linked romantically to a number of famous faces over the years - including Robbie Williams, Duncan James, Lee Ryan, David Walliams, radio star Chris Evans and tycoon Anton Kaszubowski.

She was also engaged previously in 2009 to multi-millionaire yacht builder Fabrizio Politi.

But none of them were clearly her Mr Right, but the singer, actress, and author claims she knew right away that Christian was the one.

"It truly was the happiest day of my life, it was so amazing," she previously said while talking about her wedding during an appearance on This Morning.

She added: "The thing is my mother, she got divorced, so it kind of put me off a bit if I'm honest and I hadn't met anyone that I felt it was right [with] really. And when I met Christian, I automatically knew. I did. I actually said to my friend, 'I think I've met the man I want to marry'."

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