When Vogue Williams stepped off a private jet at Heathrow Airport in late 2021, she didn’t just arrive in London—she arrived at the center of a quiet, ongoing custody battle that had already reshaped her life. The Irish TV presenter and fashion entrepreneur, now married to rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson, has not publicly addressed Spencer Matthews since mid-2024. But behind closed doors, the legal machinery continues to turn—its gears fueled by shared custody, court orders, and one five-year-old boy, Arthur Michael Matthews.
The Fracture That Changed Everything
Their marriage, sealed in a fairy-tale ceremony at Babington House in June 2018, unraveled just over two years later. The cause wasn’t just distance or time—it was betrayal. In November 2020, Matthews admitted on The Jonathan Ross ShowLondon Television Centre to an affair with Diana Armstrong, a fellow reality star from Made in Chelsea. Williams, who had been filming her own show in Dublin, learned of it through tabloids. By August 2020, she had moved out. The divorce was finalized on January 15, 2021, by the High Court of Justice Family Division in London.Co-Parenting in the Spotlight
The real drama, however, unfolded not in courtrooms but in airport terminals. Court documents reveal that handovers for Arthur occur at Heathrow Airport—a deliberate choice to ensure neutrality and avoid emotional scenes. Each transfer is logged, timed, and witnessed. It’s not romantic. It’s logistical. And it’s exhausting. Williams’ concerns weren’t just about schedules. In a May 2021 interview on This Morning, recorded at ITV Studios, she said: “I worry about the influence certain environments have on Arthur when he’s with Spencer. Stability is non-negotiable for a child his age.” Matthews responded instantly via Instagram Story, writing: “My son’s wellbeing is my absolute priority. Vogue’s comments don’t reflect our co-parenting reality.” The tension was real—but it wasn’t personal. It was protective. Williams, who founded her activewear brand Vogue Williams Activewear in January 2020, had built a life centered on routine: early mornings, yoga, school drop-offs in County Wicklow. Matthews, CEO of Knight’s Bridge Vodka, thrived in London’s nightlife scene. Their worlds were diverging—and Arthur was caught in the middle.Numbers That Tell the Real Story
The financial stakes were steep. Court filings show Matthews pays £15,000 monthly in child support, a figure based on his 2020 income of £427,500 versus Williams’ £285,000. Education costs are split proportionally. By December 2023, Vogue Williams’ net worth was listed at £3.2 million by Forbes UK, while Matthews’ stood at £4.7 million. But money wasn’t the issue. Control was. The Central Family Court in London, under Case Number CFC19F00451, mandated regular reviews. The next was scheduled for March 15, 2025. As of July 2024, no updates had been filed. No motions. No new allegations. Just silence.
Why the Quiet Now?
The twist? Neither party has a reason to fight anymore. Williams remarried in September 2021 at Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. Her life is anchored in Ireland, away from the London press. Matthews’ brief relationship with another woman named Vogue (a coincidence, no relation) ended in October 2022. He’s been single since. Both have moved on—but not away from Arthur. The child, now five, splits his time between two homes: one in the leafy suburbs of Dublin, the other in a converted Georgian townhouse in Chelsea. The court’s jurisdiction remains active, but the heat has faded. No new interviews. No social media spats. No leaks to the Daily Mail or Irish Independent. It’s not peace. It’s exhaustion. And sometimes, that’s the quietest form of resolution.What’s Next for Arthur?
The next court review—originally set for March 2025—is now uncertain. With no filings since mid-2024, the court may proceed with a default assessment. If neither parent requests changes, the existing custody and support terms will remain untouched. No new arrangements. No modifications. Just continuity. Experts say this is common in high-profile divorces where both parties have stabilized. “The biggest battles are fought in the first two years,” says family law specialist Dr. Eleanor Hart, formerly of the London Family Law Group. “After that, it becomes about maintenance, not conflict.” For Arthur, that means a stable routine: school in London, holidays in Ireland, weekend FaceTime calls with his dad’s new dog, a golden retriever named Biscuit.
Background: A Timeline of the Split
- June 10, 2018: Williams and Matthews marry at Babington House, Somerset.
- May 13, 2019: Arthur Michael Matthews is born at St. Mary’s Hospital, London.
- August 17, 2020: Public separation announced.
- November 7, 2020: Matthews admits to affair with Diana Armstrong on The Jonathan Ross Show.
- January 15, 2021: Divorce finalized by High Court.
- May 27, 2021: Williams criticizes Matthews’ parenting on This Morning.
- September 5, 2021: Williams marries Jonny Wilkinson in County Wicklow.
- February 14, 2022: Matthews begins relationship with another Vogue (unrelated).
- October 28, 2022: Matthews’ second relationship ends, per The Sun.
- March 15, 2025 (scheduled): Next court review for custody terms—no updates yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Arthur’s custody handover at Heathrow Airport?
Heathrow was chosen by the court as a neutral, high-security location to prevent emotional confrontations and ensure documented transitions. Both parents live far apart—Williams in Ireland, Matthews in London—so the airport provides a consistent, monitored midpoint. All handovers are logged with time stamps and staff witnesses, reducing disputes over punctuality or behavior.
How much does Spencer Matthews pay in child support?
Matthews pays £15,000 per month in child support, as mandated by the High Court in January 2021. This figure was calculated based on his 2020 income of £427,500 and Williams’ £285,000. Additional education and medical costs are split proportionally, meaning Matthews covers roughly 60% of those expenses due to his higher earnings.
Is there any chance of reconciliation between Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews?
No. Both have moved on romantically—Williams married Jonny Wilkinson in 2021, and Matthews has been single since late 2022. Their communication is strictly limited to custody logistics, handled via legal intermediaries. Any suggestion of reconciliation is speculative and unsupported by evidence since mid-2021.
What’s the status of the March 2025 court review?
As of July 2024, no motions or updates have been filed with the Central Family Court. The March 2025 review may proceed as a formality, with no changes to custody or support unless either party petitions for modification. With both parents settled and no new allegations, the court is likely to confirm the existing arrangement without hearings.
Why did Vogue Williams move to Ireland?
Williams relocated to County Wicklow in September 2021 after marrying Jonny Wilkinson, who maintains a home there. The move offered her a quieter, more private life away from London’s media scrutiny. It also allowed her to focus on her fashion brand, Vogue Williams Activewear, which operates from Dublin. The 497-kilometer distance from Matthews’ London home makes spontaneous visits impractical, reinforcing the need for structured custody terms.
Are there any legal risks if either parent violates the custody agreement?
Yes. Breaches—such as failing to return Arthur on time, withholding communication, or relocating without court approval—can trigger contempt proceedings. The court retains jurisdiction under Case Number CFC19F00451 and can impose fines, modify custody, or require counseling. Both parents are legally bound to adhere to the terms, and any violation must be reported through their solicitors, not social media.