Annabel Croft has revealed she is ‘besotted’ after becoming a grandmother for the first time aged 59 – two years after the devastating death of her beloved husband, Mel Coleman.
The tennis legend-turned TV presenter’s eldest daughter, Amber, 31, has given birth to a baby boy with her financier husband, Hector Llewellyn.
Amber shared the happy news on Instagram, posting heartwarming pictures of their newborn son, who arrived on September 16.
In a poignant tribute to Amber’s late father, they have named him Arlo William Melvyn Llewellyn.
‘Meet our little bear,’ yoga instructor Amber captioned photos from hospital and their home, showing her cradling the newborn with a beaming smile. ‘Love you so so so much it hurts.’
Annabel, who starred in BBC‘s Strictly in 2023, commented on the post: ‘”Grannabel” is besotted. He’s completely adorable❤️❤️❤️.’
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Annabel Croft has revealed she is ‘besotted’ after becoming a grandmother for the first time aged 59 – two years after the devastating death of her beloved husband, Mel Coleman
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The tennis legend-turned TV presenter’s eldest daughter, Amber, 31, has given birth to a baby boy with her financier husband, Hector Llewellyn
Annabel shared her excitement in the comments
In May 2023, her husband, former investment banker and yachtsman Mel, died of sepsis while battling stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 60.
He died just eight weeks after he was diagnosed with the terminal illness – and two months shy of their 30th wedding anniversary.
Annabel’s younger daughter Lily, 27 – who only last month announced her engagement to investment director Felix McCorquodale, a relative of Princess Diana’s stepmother Raine – shared her own joy at meeting her nephew for the first time.
Posting pictures on Instagram on Thursday of herself holding the baby, she wrote: ‘My sister became a mum a couple of weeks ago and today I got to meet my nephew… he’s perfect.’
She added another shot of herself, Amber and their mother Annabel enjoying a cafe outing together, with little Arlo fast asleep in his pram by their side.
Annabel, who rose to fame as a teenage tennis prodigy before becoming one of the BBC’s most recognisable pundits, commented on Lily’s post with a string of heart-eyed emojis.
The birth is a poignant milestone for the family after they were forced to endure enormous heartache since the loss of Annabel’s husband and father of her three children.
She credited her participation on Strictly with helping her through the difficult period, saying: ‘I always said that I never really knew grief.
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Annabel’s younger daughter Lily, 27 – who only last month announced her engagement to investment director Felix McCorquodale, a relative of Princess Diana’s stepmother Raine – shared her own joy at meeting her nephew for the first time
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She added another shot of herself, Amber and their mother Annabel enjoying a cafe outing together, with little Arlo fast asleep in his pram by their side
‘I had no concept of it. [Strictly] has given me a reason to be able to get up in the morning and have purpose rather than just sobbing at home, which does still happen sometimes.’
Annabel, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 1984 before retiring from the sport aged just 21, has spoken movingly about the ‘horrendous’ sadness of losing her husband, describing him as her ‘rock’ and the source of her confidence and humour.
But she has also been open about the comfort she finds in celebrating family milestones.
Earlier this summer, she described the imminent birth of her first grandchild as a ‘positive thing to look forward to’ amid the family’s healing process.
‘I’m really excited to become a grandmother,’ she told Hello!. ‘When you have children yourself, it’s such a whirlwind… but now I’m looking forward to just enjoying every second.
‘I love babies – they’re so full of personality, and because everything is new to them they re-engage you with the world in a very simplistic way.’
The baby news comes after a string of celebrations for the Croft-Coleman clan.
Just weeks before Amber gave birth, Annabel’s only son Charlie, 29, married Boodles jewellery heiress Honour Wainwright in a society wedding.
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In May 2023, Annabel’s husband, former investment banker and yachtsman Mel, died of sepsis while battling stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 60 (pictured in 2013)
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Annabel made it to the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 only months after her husband passed away (pictured with partner Graziano di Prima)
Last month, Lily revealed her engagement to Felix, who hails from one of Britain’s most prominent aristocratic families.
Annabel hailed it as ‘the most wonderful news’, adding that she was delighted to see her children ‘with the most wonderful partners’.
Annabel, who earned a new legion of fans on Strictly where she was partnered with Johannes Radebe, said earlier this year that she feels her late husband’s presence at such moments.
She told Hello! in June that she often finds white feathers at home and believes they are signs from Mel.
A photographer friend also told her that unusual light flares in photos taken since his passing were evidence of ‘angel energy’. She explained: ‘It’s quite comforting to hear that and you do try and hang on to those things.’
Annabel has kept herself busy with TV punditry and new ventures, including her first ever theatre speaking tour.
She no longer worries about failure, saying: ‘When a door opens, go and explore. At my age, and with everything that’s happened, I’m not afraid to fail.’
The joy of a first grandchild has already been met with an outpouring of love from family friends and celebrity pals online.
Psychotherapist Julia Samuel, who was Princess Diana’s confidante, commented on Amber’s announcement: ‘Amazing. Congratulations. Hello devoted grandma Annabel Croft.’
Inside Gabriella Giudice’s Glamorous 21st Birthday Bash with Sister Gia by Her Side trucc
The RHONJ daughter also received sweet birthday tributes from her mom, Teresa Giudice; dad, Joe Giudice; and more.
File this under “where has the time gone?” news: Gabriella Giudice just turned 21!
The Real Housewives of New Jersey daughter celebrated the milestone on Saturday, October 4, alongside her big sister, Gia Giudice. The Next Gen NYC cast member teased the festivities in a recent TikTok video documenting her trip from New Jersey to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Gabriella just began her junior year of college.
Gia Giudice heads to Michigan to celebrate Gabriella Giudice’s special day
“So, it’s Gabriella’s 21st birthday this weekend. Let’s go to Michigan,” Gia said in the October 3 vlog. “I’m so excited to go see Gabriella. She’s so cute. She can’t wait for me to get there. I got a car rental for this weekend. We got a lot of things planned. She always goes all out: dinners, some pregames — it’s a game-day weekend… So, I’m super excited.”
Gia returned to social media on October 4, sharing a glimpse at Gabriella’s off-campus apartment. The unit was decorated with a large banner that read, “Gabby’s twenty-first birthday,” as well as dozens of yellow and blue balloons.
“Sissy’s 21st,” Gia captioned the video. “I love you so so much.”
Gabriella appeared at the end of the clip holding a plate of homemade cupcakes adorned with numeral birthday candles. The blue and yellow decor was, of course, a nod to the University of Michigan, where Gabriella is pursuing a degree in economics.
The sisters also showed off their school spirit by rocking blue and yellow outfits to the UMich vs. the University of Wisconsin football game. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Badgers, 10-24.
Joe Giudice’s Heartfelt Message to Gabriella Giudice: “You’ve Made Me Proud”
Gabriella also received a sweet birthday message from her father, Joe Giudice. The Italian-born dad posted an Instagram carousel that included a mix of throwback and recent photos.
“Gabriella, 21 years went by in the blink of an eye,” he captioned the post. “From the little girl who always had the biggest heart, to the incredible woman you are today — you’ve made me proud every single day. Keep chasing your dreams and never forget how much your dad loves you. Happy Birthday my sweetheart.”
Joe’s youngest daughter, Audriana Giudice, also shared a birthday tribute for her big sister. The New Jersey high schooler posted a photo collage of her most memorable moments with Gabriella.
“Happy birthday to my best friend always,” Audriana wrote in the Story. “Never change. I love you.”
Teresa Giudice & Louie Ruelas send Gabriella Giudice birthday wishes
Luis “Louie” Ruelas followed suit and penned a sweet message celebrating his stepdaughter’s “special day.”
“Happy 21st Birthday Beautiful,” he captioned a series of photos of him, Gabriella, and Teresa Giudice. “I’m sending you so much LOVE You are a beautiful person, inside and out. I want you to know how incredibly proud I am to be your stepdad… I love you so much and I know God has an amazing future in store for you.”
Teresa reshared her hubby’s post on Instagram before writing her own birthday tribute to her “porcelain doll.” The Jersey mom uploaded a grip of photos that showed Audriana at different stages of her life.
“To my Gabriella, it’s your 21st birthday!” Teresa captioned the post. “It feels like just yesterday you were my little porcelain doll, and now I look in awe at the magnificent woman you have become!! They say a daughter is a little piece of a mother’s heart. You are my heart, my porcelain doll, and I want to know how proud i am of you. Your strength & your intelligence inspires me! I am endlessly grateful to call you my daughter. I love you more than words can say. Wishing you the best birthday ever.”
