Francesca Packer-Barham is a married woman.
The billionaire heiress wed fiancé Robert Bates at 3pm on Wednesday afternoon in front of just 18 guests, with the ceremony taking place at the secluded Packer estate in the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW, news.com.au reports.
The 31-year-old said ‘I do’ on the grounds of the opulent 30,000-hectare grounds, with guests including Packer’s mother Gretel, grandmother Roslyn and her father, Nick Barham.
Nick’s second wife, Miss World contestant Karen Carwin, is also among the guests at what will be a three-day party at the estate.
Francesca opted for a non-denominational, civil ceremony, with her mother, Gretel, reportedly walking her down the aisle.
Her younger brother, Ben, is believed to have acted as a groomsman, as did Francesca’s half-brother William.
Francesca Packer-Barham is a married woman, according to a new report. The billionaire heiress wed fiancé Robert Bates at 3pm on Wednesday afternoon. Both pictured
Members of Robert’s family are likewise in attendance at the intimate celebration.
A major motivation for holding the wedding on home turf is the health of Francesca’s grandmother, who is reportedly suffering mobility issues after two hip replacements and two knee replacements, news.com.au reports.
Workers could be seen preparing the grounds ahead of the nuptials earlier on Wednesday, with a gardener operating a leaf blower.
A small group of guests could also be seen streaming into the estate throughout the day, unloading suitcases and clothing.
Security was located at the main entrance, with guests presenting a VIP pass to gain entry.
A box from a JB’s Cowboy Hattery, seemingly containing a hat, was also delivered and collected by security.
The socialite originally planned to marry Bates under a full moon in Spain.
It was reported that Packer ‘has caught many in her wider social orbit off guard’ with the news that the multi-day celebration that Packer planned to take place in Majorca in July is not the main event.
The 31-year-old said ‘I do’ on the grounds of the opulent 30,000-hectare estate, with guests streaming in through the day. A wedding guest is pictured
Packer’s mother Gretel, grandmother Roslyn and her father, Nick Barham were in attendance. A wedding guest is pictured
Nick’s second wife, Miss World contestant Karen Carwin, is also among the guests at what will be a three-day party at the estate. One guest was seen unloading a suitcase
A delivery man carried in a box from a hat store
Guests were seen unloading a number of items from waiting cars
Packer originally planned the three-day celebration to align with the lunar cycle, with the festivities ending on the night of July 29, when the full moon emerges.
The plans are inspired by Packer’s ‘interest in spirituality and crystals’, the Daily Telegraph alleged.
While the Spanish celebration will go ahead, it turns out that Packer will already be married when she greets her guests.
Packer will reportedly next celebrate at a hens’ party in Majorca on June 16, with the ‘unconventional’ event combining both the hens and bucks nights.
It will be an ‘intimate’ occasion despite Packer’s fame, due to the Iran war, making travel difficult for some of the socialite’s A-list friends.
‘Things feel very volatile at the moment. People don’t want to get stuck at airports or stranded overseas if the situation escalates,’ a source tells The Daily Telegraph.
The granddaughter of late media mogul Kerry Packer – as well as daughter of Gretel and English financier Nick Barham, and niece of James Packer – has been dating the controversial wellness CEO, 46, since 2022.
While the pair never publicly confirmed an engagement, Packer hinted at it through a second Instagram account seemingly dedicated to a forthcoming marriage.
Guests arrived holding VIP cards that allowed them entry to the estate
Security checked passes at the entrance
Workers could be seen preparing the grounds ahead of the nuptials earlier on Wednesday, with a gardener operating a leaf blower
Francesca opted for a non-denominational, civil ceremony, with her mother, Gretel, reportedly walking her down the aisle
Her younger brother, Ben, is believed to have acted as a groomsman, as did Francesca’s half-brother William
Members of Robert’s family are likewise in attendance at the intimate celebration
A major motivation for holding the wedding on home turf is the health of Francesca’s grandmother, who is reportedly suffering mobility issues after two hip replacements and two knee replacements, news.com.au reports
The socialite originally planned to marry Bates under a full moon in Spain
The region where the estate sits is pictured
She was following a page titled ‘Francesca & Robert’, complete with a ring emoji.
‘We can’t wait to celebrate with you!’ the bio reads.
While some may have private concerns about the relationship between Bates and Packer given his history of controversy, one family friend gave the couple the benefit of the doubt.
‘[Francesca] is really kind and giving and I know that if she’s engaged to this man, then she sees the good in him,’ the well-placed source told Daily Mail.
‘I wish her all the happiness. She’s a very smart, intelligent woman. I think that if she’s made that decision, she deserves love and everyone should let her get on with it.
‘At the end of the day, whose right is it to comment on who she chooses to spend the rest of her life with?
‘Just because she’s a billionaire doesn’t mean she owes anyone anything. She deserves happiness just like the rest of us.’
Packer and Bates were first spotted together when he attended her 28th birthday party in November 2022.
Marriage had long been on Francesca’s mind, and it appears she is right on schedule.
‘I’ll probably be married with kids and a house in Bellevue Hill in 10 years’ time,’ she told Sunday Life magazine back in 2016.
Marriage had long been on Francesca’s mind. ‘I’ll probably be married with kids and a house in Bellevue Hill in 10 years’ time,’ she told Sunday Life magazine back in 2016
