EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of Melanie Brown’s wedding this weekend, there had been reports that two Spice Girls stars had been snubbed, but the Mirror can now reveal the truth
Spice Girls icon Melanie Brown MBE will marry her fiancé, Rory McPhee, this weekend, with one of her bandmates in attendance. Rory, a hair stylist, got down on one knee and proposed to the Leeds-born icon in October 2022, four years after the pair started dating one another.
The singer who found fame as one-fifth of the chart-mauling girl group has never shied away from discussing her love for Rory, with the pair often posing for loved-up social media snaps. Even at Melanie’s 50th birthday party, the couple looked smitten with one another as they danced in front of guests, including bandmates Melanie C and Emma Bunton, who had travelled to West Yorkshire for the occasion.
Now, the couple are preparing to say “I do” in one of the most iconic landmarks in the UK, St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Each year, only a handful of couples are given permission to marry at the same location where the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and now King Charles tied the knot.
But reports had suggested that some of Melanie’s bandmates would be attending the ceremony due to a feud. Now, the Mirror can reveal the truth behind the speculation. A source close to the band told us: “There’s no snub, the girls are all on friendly terms with one another, but it’s no secret that Geri is busy with Christian at Formula One and Victoria is extremely busy with her fashion brand.”
It’s believed that Victoria, who has since carved out a name as one of the biggest fashion designers, has work commitments in another country. Meanwhile, Melanie C, known as Sporty Spice, is currently on tour and will be performing in Rødovre, eastern Denmark.
It was reported by the MailOnline that Geri would not be attending due to a fractured relationship with Melanie, but this isn’t the case, according to our source. Instead, Ginger Spice will be alongside her F1 husband, Christian Horner, at the British Grand Prix, which is being held at Silverstone Circuit between July 4 and July 6.
Melanie is said to have known Rory for decades, describing him as a “family friend”. Speaking about their relationship, she revealed they grew close after she returned to her hometown of Leeds after previously living in Los Angeles.
The For Once In My Life songstress said: “When I went back to England, he would come over and give me hair treatments… And as he was nurturing my curls back, I guess he was nurturing my trust and belief in a relationship.”
The singer recently delighted fans after celebrating her hen do in Tunisia alongside some of her closest friends, beloved mum Andrea, sister Danielle and her eldest daughter, Pheonix. Dressed in her iconic leopard print bikini, the star, who was awarded an MBE for services to charitable work and supporting vulnerable women through Women’s Aid, described the event as her “Zen party.”
Melanie’s bandmate, Victoria, was originally set to design her wedding gown, but instead, another designer has now been given the honour. And although she’s known for her flamboyant personality and leopard print, the Mirror understands that Melanie will be going for a traditional white dress for the stunning occasion.
British designer Josephine Scott is believed to be the designer behind the dress for Melanie’s UK ceremony, while she will be wearing another dress, believed to be by American designer Justin Alexander, for her ceremony in Morocco, which will take place later in the month.
Speaking about the occasions, Melanie told Women’s Wear Daily: “This will be a very formal, English wedding where I want to feel regal and very proper. All the ladies will wear hats or fascinators. Then, I’m having a second ceremony abroad, which will be more informal, sexy and beautiful.”
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