By LUKE AUGUSTUS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: | Updated:
Shay Given is a married man once more after tying the knot at the sacred Westminster Abbey.
The former Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, 50, married Rebecca Gibson on Saturday following a 12-year engagement.
The newlyweds were a picture of happiness on their momentous day as they said their vows at a venue that is a rarity for weddings.
Traditionally Westminster Abbey marriages can only take place there if the bride or groom have a recognised connection to the Abbey or who qualify under its established rules.
As a result, this applies to members of the Royal Family, members of the Order of the Bath and their children as well as residents of the Abbey precincts. If none of those three boxes are ticked, then the fourth and final route is others who meet specific qualifying criteria, subject to the Abbey's discretion.
In the case of Saturday's event, the wedding took place due to Gibson's connection with the Royal Family.
Shay Given married long-time fiancee Rebecca Gibson at Westminster Abbey on Saturday
The pair, who have two children together, had been engaged for 12 years before tying the knot
The newlyweds looked a picture of happiness as they tied the knot at the sacred venue
Gibson's grandfather Donald Buttress OBE was given a Lieutenant of the Victorian Order (LVO) in the 1997 New Year Honours before being awarded an OBE nine years later for services to the Conservation of Cathedrals.
For 11 years between 1988-1999 he was Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey and in the forthcoming years also designed the Queen Mother Memorial on The Mall, which was unveiled in 2009.
In addition, Buttress - who turned 94 in April - lived at Westminster Abbey between 1998 and 1999 with Gibson often visiting her grandparents there as a young girl and exploring many hidden parts of the building, as she noted on Instagram once.
It is understood that at the discretion of the Royal Family and with the permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury, that Given and Gibson were allowed to get married.
Their two daughters Gracie and Cassie were bridesmaids, as well as Sienna from Given's first marriage to Jane Cunningham. Given and Cunningham also have a son together called Shayne. Given wore a tuxedo, while Gibson wore an elegant dress made by New York designer Tom Sebastien.
After the wedding, Gibson and Given - who met while she was working in PR - held an after party at Hotel Cafe Royal.
Gibson's grandfather Donald Buttress OBE has a strong connection with the Royal Family
Given enjoyed a brilliant Premier League career, which included a fine spell as Newcastle's No 1
Given is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish goalkeepers of all-time and enjoyed a stellar playing career for the likes of Newcastle United, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League - amassing 451 appearances in the English top flight.
Since retiring, Given has turned his hand to TV punditry with his work including BBC Sport.