60‘ITURNEDTOMY
FRIENDANDSAID
‘I’MGOINGTO
MARRYTHATGIRL’’’
Tell us about the proposal...
Henri: It was here at the house by the pool.
Leading up to it, I had all my mates on board
helping out, doing me favours. I had my
friend who is a jeweller make the ring.
Natalie: Even my friends knew! He said he
was going to have a big party for his birthday
with a marquee in the garden. He came to
my house to pick me up but he is a sweet
boyfriend so it wasn’t like that wasn’t normal.So you didn’t suspect a thing, Natalie?
No. When we got here, the pool area was
covered in flowers. It was like a movie, and I
still thought, oh maybe this is just a romantic
drink, just us two before the party. Then he
got down on one knee. I couldn’t believe it. What did Marley say about the news?
We walked into the marquee and all my
family from Newcastle were there. I saw
Marley and I started crying! She ran to me
and said: ‘Does this mean I’m going to get a
baby sister?’ [Laughs.]Have you made a start on the wedding
plans yet?
We’re looking at Italy, either the Amalfi
Coast or Tuscany. One of the venues we’re
considering is like a castle and you have to
get boats over to it!
Henri: [Jokingly] I’ve had zero say!
Natalie: If it was up to Henri, we’d go off
on our own somewhere and we’d be done
in half a day! We really want the girls to be
involved too. I would love for Marley to walk
down the aisle with either her sister or one of
my godchildren who is the same age.Will you invite your teammates, Henri?
I probably will, to be fair – just to make up
the numbers [laughs]!Prince William is an Aston Villa fan. Have
you met him?
A couple of times. He came to one of the
games last year and had a chat with everyone
in the changing room. He loves his football.
He knew everything about every player! Would you be up for a kickabout with him?
Oh, definitely! Natalie, you modelled for Azurina recently.
Was it your first job after maternity leave?
Azurina was my first job back. Work almost
becomes time off. But as soon as I’m there,
I miss the girls. I’ve modelled for ten years
and I’ve had great experiences, but now I’m
content doing the odd day here and there.Is working out a big part of your life?
Yes, unfortunately, because my brother is
my personal trainer! I try to work out twice
a week. I complain about it literally until the
minute I walk in there, but then I skip out
because I feel so good when I’ve done it. Do you two ever work out together?
Henri: We have done!
Natalie: My brother said: ‘This is a bit
weird; I’m training my post-natal sister and
a professional athlete!’ He had Henri doing
pelvic floor exercises!What is the biggest misconception about
footballers and their partners?
Henri: I think I am quite in my own world
and quite different to the stereotype. I train, I
come home and then I get whipped [laughs]!
Natalie: There’s the obvious stereotype
that girlfriends or wives don’t work because
they don’t have to. I don’t believe in that.
Sometimes when people meet me, they’re
surprised I’m still modelling.Above, below and bottom:
The couple are doing up the
house room by room‘Most days off I’ll come back home,
because I stay in Birmingham when
I’m playing,’ Henri tells usMARLEY WEARS JUMPSUIT BY ZARA. MILA WEARS OUTFIT BY NOE & ZOE. NATALIE WEARS TOP BY ZARA. HENRI WEARS TOP BY LOCO LOVE; AND TRO
USERS BY H&M