Shay Given marries at Westminster Abbey after rare royal approval granted to family

Former Manchester City and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given married his long-time partner Rebecca Gibson at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, October 10, in a ceremony conducted by the Dean himself, the Very Reverend David Hoyle. The couple shared photographs from the occasion at one of the world’s most historic venues, which has hosted 16 royal weddings over the past 900 years.

Permission to marry at the Abbey — ordinarily reserved for royalty and those with close connections to the Crown — was granted through a rare family link on Rebecca’s side. Her grandfather held the title of Surveyor of the Fabric at Westminster Abbey, the role responsible for the care and maintenance of the building, and was subsequently made a Lieutenant of the Victorian Order by the monarchy. That honour extended certain access to royal buildings to his blood relatives, and with the approval of the Crown, the Dean, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the couple were able to hold their ceremony there.

The church service was kept to close family and friends before the wedding party moved to the Hotel Café Royal on Regent Street, where guests were welcomed into the Pompadour Ballroom — one of London’s grandest function rooms.

Despite the London setting, the day carried strong ties to the north of England, where Given and Gibson have lived in Cheshire for the past decade. The bride’s lace bodice gown, designed by Tom Sebastian, was sourced from Knutsford Wedding Gallery, and the event was organised by Manchester-based Bridal PA founder Amy Ramsey. Entertainment was provided by Manchester swing artist Cole Page.

Rebecca walked down the aisle in a corseted full-lace dress with a lace-embellished veil and a bouquet of hand-tied white roses. Given, 50, waited at the altar in a black velvet tuxedo and bow tie. The couple were accompanied by three bridesmaids: their daughters Gracie, 10, and Cassie, 9, alongside Given’s daughter Sienna, 19, from his first marriage.

Given, who was born in Donegal, is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest ever goalkeepers, earning 134 caps for the Republic of Ireland across a career that included spells at Newcastle United and Manchester City. He and Rebecca first met in Manchester; he proposed in Los Angeles in 2015.