Irish football legend Shay Given has married his long-time partner Rebecca Gibson in a ceremony at one of Britain's most famous landmarks, after receiving special permission to tie the knot at Westminster Abbey.
The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper and Match of the Day pundit wed Rebecca on Saturday, with the couple granted the rare opportunity to exchange vows at the historic London church.
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Weddings at Westminster Abbey are usually restricted to members of the Royal Family, residents of the Abbey precincts, members of the Order of the Bath and their children.
However, Rebecca has a special connection to the landmark through her late grandfather, Donald Buttress, who served as Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey between 1988 and 1999.
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Her grandparents even lived at the Abbey for a short period between 1998 and 1999, giving Rebecca a personal connection to the historic setting from an early age.
She previously took to Instagram to reflect on her childhood experiences at the landmark, writing about her "beautiful memories growing up" there.
Her grandfather's longstanding association with the Abbey helped the couple secure special dispensation to hold their wedding at the prestigious venue.
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Westminster Abbey has hosted some of the most significant occasions in British history, including royal weddings and coronations.
Prince William and Kate Middleton married there in 2011, while King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned at the Abbey in 2023.
For Given and Rebecca, the opportunity to marry there meant celebrating their relationship in a place that already held personal significance for the bride and her family.
Given, 50, enjoyed a distinguished football career, earning 134 caps for the Republic of Ireland and establishing himself as one of the country's most celebrated goalkeepers.
He played for clubs including Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa during his time in the Premier League, before retiring from professional football in 2017.
Irish goalkeeper Shay Given. Photo credit Maxisport, Shutterstock
He has since become a familiar face to football fans through his television work, regularly appearing as a pundit on Match of the Day.
