Inside Riyad Mahrez and Taylor Ward’s relationship from £400,000 engagement ring to dream third wedding in Lake Como
ANOTHER footballer’s wedding, ANOTHER lavish occasion.
But for lovebirds Riyad Mahrez, 33, and Taylor Ward, 26, it’s the third time they have walked down the aisle together.
The ex-Man City ace, now playing in Saudi Arabia, and his Cheshire-born missus are clearly a match made in heaven and cannot get enough of one another.
This time they said their ‘I do’s’ in the wondrous setting of Lake Como, Italy at the exclusive Villa Balbiano, where the Hollywood movie House of Gucci was filmed.
It’s another chapter in their relationship that began in 2020.
Following a whirlwind romance, they secretly wed a year later.
Their love affair has continued to blossom as the years have passed.
Unlucky in love
Before they met one another, Mahrez and Taylor appeared unlucky in love.
She was linked to footballers Mason Holgate and the Algerian’s former teammate Sergio Aguero, however happiness was short lived.
Mahrez was married to British model Rita Johal, after they met on London’s Oxford Street, where he asked her out in 2012.
They married in 2015, but it wasn’t to last – with the pair filing for divorce five years later.
Rita was in the headlines for ‘chatting intently’ to boxer Deontay Wilder in a Manchester nightclub, which reportedly left Mahrez devastated.
The reason why they divorced was never disclosed.
Finding each other
Ward and Mahrez met in 2020 in the street in Manchester when she was visiting a Christmas market, and soon fell madly in love with another.
They were soon engaged by 2021, after the winger whisked the beauty off to Mykonos for a stunning summer holiday.
While on their break way, it is believed he dropped to one knee and presented Taylor with a diamond sparkler worth an estimated £400,000.
In January, 2022 they walked down the isle in a secret traditional Islamic Nikah ceremony.
It was merely the start for the pair who love devoting themselves to each other.
Building a family
In the summer of 2022, Taylor and Mahrez welcomed their first child together.
They announced their daughter Mila on Instagram – sharing a photo of her nestled in a carrier.
A caption next to the adorable snap read: “One week of loving you. Mila Mahrez 01.07.22.”
Previously, an excited Taylor showed off her extravagant baby shower on social media.
The bash featured lavish decorations, including a huge balloon arch, sprawling pink table and a bespoke three-tiered cake.
That came after the pair revealed the gender of their new-born, once again on Instagram, in a sweet reveal video.
A second ceremony
Blissfully happy, Mahrez and Taylor exchanged their nuptials for a second time in September, 2023.
This time they upped the ante, marrying in front of their closest friends and family at the five-star The Londoner hotel found in the heart of the West End.
She looked incredible in a beautiful white dress.
While Mahrez was dapper in a black tuxedo.
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Mahrez and Taylor were also joined by his two daughters, Inaya and Ayla, from his previous marriage and their baby, Mila.
The football world united in their love for the couple, after pictures of the ceremony were shared online.
Taylor’s furniture designer and Real Housewives of Cheshire star mum, Dawn, declared: “The most amazing day you all look incredible. Me and Dad are super proud, love you all so much.”
Former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin commented: “Very beautiful, it’s strong .”
While ex-Man City Ilkay Gundogan‘s partner Sara added: “Omg congratulations love it.”
Settling in Saudi
If ever there was a test on a relationship, it would be moving to foreign shores.
When Mahrez was offered an incredible opportunity – a £45million-per-year contract with Al-Ahli – it was too good to turn down.
But, that could have put a strain on the couple’s marriage.
In the Married to the Game docuseries put together by Amazon Prime, Mahrez and Taylor offered fans a glimpse into their lives.
One emotional scene saw Taylor confessing her struggles to adapt to a new way of living.
She admitted: “I feel like it is so hard, there are times I can’t, I just don’t like it.”
Taylor also spoke about an experience she had at a hotel pool.
She said on camera: “I won’t lie, I had a freak out yesterday. I rang the hotel to ask ‘I’m coming with my baby, what do people wear around the pool’, I know it is a lot more conservative there and you have to dress a certain way.
‘”I said ‘I just want to check when I come with a baby what is the best thing to wear, do I need to wear something covered if I am going in the water?’
“They were like ‘oh no sorry, it’s just a man’s pool, it is just a gents pool'”.
Third time’s a charm
Needless to say, they have now adapted perfectly to life in the Middle East.
Their undying love prompted the pair to wed for a THIRD time in the romantic setting of Lake Como.
They did this at the luxury Villa Balbiano, famously featured in Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci starring Adam Driver, Lady Gaga and Jared Leto.
The luxurious property boasts an outdoor swimming pool, a private pier and a boathouse.
They had an outdoor ceremony, followed by a party with guests. Taylor looked stunning in a long sleeve white gown.
Her footballer dad Ashley walked her down the aisle to Callum Scott’s You Are The Reason surrounded by hundreds of white roses.
Singer Leona Lewis, who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2006, performed after the wedding.
She famously sang ‘Bleeding Love’. And that’s exactly what Mahrez and Taylor do for each other.