PICTURED: Pregnant Kate Ferdinand pays tribute to her husband Rio’s late wife Rebecca Ellison… as they join her parents for a family dinner
Kate Ferdinand was pictured out with her family to honour her husband’s late wife Rebecca Ellison on what would have been her 40th birthday, on Saturday.
The pregnant star, 29, was seen joining Rebecca’s parents, Lesley and Stephen, for a meal in Southend, Essex, along with her husband Rio and their children.
Since her relationship began with the former footballer, 42, Kate has become stepmother to his kids Tia, nine, Tate, 12, and Lorenz, 14.
Paying tribute: Kate Ferdinand was pictured joining her family to honour her husband’s late wife Rebecca Ellison on what would have been her 40th birthday, on Saturday
Kate, who is due to welcome a baby with Rio this month, wrapped up warm in a long black padded jacket as she headed to the restaurant with her family.
The former TOWIE personality also added a black bobble hat and scarf, while she opted for comfortable in a pair of flat black boots.
Rio was similarly dressed to Kate in a padded jacket and hat.
His first wife Rebecca died of breast cancer in 2015 and sources claimed Kate was determined to mark her birthday, despite being weeks away from giving birth.
Stepping out: The pregnant star, 29, was seen with Rebecca’s parents, Lesley and Stephen, for a meal in Southend, Essex, along with her husband Rio and their children
Family: Since her relationship began with the former footballer, 42, Kate has become stepmother to Tia, nine, Tate, 12, and Lorenz, 14
The source said: ‘Kate was determined to attend the gathering despite being heavily pregnant and not finding it easy.
‘Rebecca would have celebrated her 40th birthday and Kate was on hand to mark the occasion.
‘It meant everything to Kate that she could show the Ellisons how much she cares by joining in the stroll and meal out.’
In February Kate discussed the struggles she overcame when she took on the role of stepmother to Rio’s three children in the BBC documentary Rio and Kate: Becoming a Stepfamily.
Winter night: Kate, who is due to welcome a baby with Rio this month, wrapped up warm in a long black padded jacket as she headed to the restaurant with her family
Family dinner: The former TOWIE personality also added a black bobble hat and scarf, while she opted for comfortable in a pair of flat black boots
Together: Rio was similarly dressed to Kate in a padded jacket and hat
The star explained at the time she writes letters to Rebecca and feels like she ‘grieves for someone she never knew’, while Rio’s children wrote cards for their late mum on Mother’s Day.
Reading out her card, Kate broke down in tears as she explained: ‘I’m sorry I don’t know why this makes me so upset – I feel like I’m grieving for someone I never knew.’
She continued: ‘I hope I’m doing a good job of looking after them for you. It’s a bloody hard job but I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
Kate also explained there is a special room in the house for Rio’s children full of pictures of their late mum, along with pictures of their grandmother Janice, who passed away in 2017.
Difficult: In February Kate discussed the struggles she overcame when she took on the role of stepmother to Rio’s three children#, admitting she ‘grieves for someone she never knew’
Family: Kate is stepmother to Rio’s children Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12 and Tia, nine, and has spoken about struggling to take on the role following Rebecca’s death
Kate and Rio are due to welcome their first child together any day now, and the star recently shared a glimpse of her growing bump as she joked the ‘baby boy was getting very comfy.’
Alongside the glamorous shot, the mum-to-be wrote: ‘This baby boy is very comfy in here … glam, but slippers – it’s the only way right now.’
Showing his approval for the gorgeous photograph, Rio commented beneath: ‘Hot mama!’ with a red heart emoji.
Ready to pop! The star is set to welcome her first child with Rio, a baby boy, any day now, and recently joked her son is getting ‘very comfy’ ahead of her due date
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