The former Beatle seems poised to marry his American fiancée on John Lennon’s birthday and at the scene of his first wedding
By Genevieve Roberts
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Everything is ready. The marquee has been erected. The yellow roses, sound equipment and bags of ice have been delivered. The paparazzi and Beatles fans have gathered. For today is expected to be Sir Paul McCartney’s third big day – the day he marries American industrial heiress and multimillionaire Nancy Shevell, 51, in a ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall.
Only 30 guests, including McCartney’s five children, are thought to be going to witness the wedding, which will be followed by a party in the back garden of the Beatle’s St John’s Wood home. The musician’s brother, Mike McGear, is tipped to be best man, while his seven-year-old daughter Beatrice, by his second wife, Heather Mills, will be flower girl.
Both the date, on which John Lennon, assassinated in December 1980, would have turned 71, and the venue, where McCartney married his first wife, Linda, in 1969, are highly symbolic. McCartney, 69, posted the legally required 16 days’ notice of the forthcoming marriage in September, describing himself as a “business executive” and Ms Shevell as an “executive”. The couple were then eligible to marry within the year. But speculation has been mounting all week that today has been earmarked for the ceremony, with preparations evident at McCartney’s home. His fashion designer daughter Stella McCartney is said to be helping choose the vegetarian meal to be served.
Ms Shevell, whose father heads a £250m haulage firm, and McCartney are believed to have been granted special dispensation to marry today, in a ceremony conducted by Superintendent Registrar Alison Cathcart. Weddings at Marylebone usually take place from Monday to Saturday only.