Casual Sydney Stroll Days After Intimate Nuptials
Francesca Packer Barham, the 31-year-old billionaire heiress, settles into married life with a relaxed outing alongside her new husband, Robert Bates, 46. On Monday, the couple enjoyed a casual walk in Sydney’s Potts Point neighborhood, fresh from their recent wedding in the Upper Hunter Valley.
Francesca traded her bridal gown for a laid-back black tracksuit featuring a love-heart print, paired with sunglasses, flat black sandals, a matching tote bag, and her hair pulled into a simple ponytail. Robert kept it comfortable too, wheeling a suitcase while wearing a $194 white Tenoré hoodie, black shorts, and sneakers. Notably, neither displayed their wedding rings during the stroll.
The pair paused at a local café, where Robert grabbed a takeaway smoothie, highlighting their low-key return to everyday routines.
Intimate Ceremony at Family Estate
The wedding unfolded last Wednesday at Ellerston, the Packer family’s sprawling 30,000-hectare estate. In a non-denominational civil ceremony, the couple exchanged vows before just 18 guests over a three-day celebration.
Family members in attendance included Francesca’s mother, Gretel, who walked her down the aisle; grandmother Roslyn; father Nick Barham; and Nick’s wife, former Miss World contestant Karen Carwin. Francesca’s younger brother Ben served as a groomsman, alongside her half-brother William. Robert’s relatives also joined the intimate gathering.
The choice of venue stemmed from concerns over Roslyn’s mobility, following two hip replacements and two knee replacements.
Shift from Original Spanish Plans
Francesca initially envisioned a full-moon wedding in Spain, timed to a three-day lunar cycle ending July 29, reflecting her passion for spirituality and crystals. While a combined hens’ and bucks’ party proceeds in Majorca on June 16, the couple will already be wed by then, with the Spanish festivities serving as a post-marriage event.
