Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch weds BBC Radio Kent presenter Steve Ladner on Valentine's Day
11:44, 15 February 2023
updated: 17:02, 16 February 2023
An MP has tied the knot with her long-term partner on the most romantic day of the year – Valentine's Day.
Tracey Crouch, who represents Chatham and Aylesford, wed BBC radio presenter Steve Ladner in a fairytale ceremony at a medieval castle.
Dressed in an elegant white gown with lace bodice and clutching a bouquet of red roses, she smiled for the cameras with husband Steve.
Messages of congratulations came flooding in as she posted pictures of her big day with the message: "A perfect Valentine's Day".
Among them were fellow MPs including Helen Whatley, who is social care minister and member for Faversham and Mid Kent.
The nuptials took place at The Castle Westenhanger, near Hythe, a 13th century castle with a Grade I-listed manor house set in 14 acres of land.
The couple managed to keep the "small" wedding hush-hush, with guests enjoying afternoon tea and a tiered cake of Kentish and Cornish cheeses.
Tracey said: "It was a wonderful day and was nice in a life where everything is public to have had a secret."
Steve, who fronts the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Kent, popped the question in July 2021 on Tracey's 46th birthday.
At the time she shared her delight with her Instagram followers, showing her engagement ring with the caption "I said yes....."
Earlier, the Conservative MP had tweeted a picture of a 46th birthday present "from her boys" that acknowledged her battle with breast cancer – a t-shirt with an apt slogan urging women to "check your boobs".
The former sports minister, who lives in Aylesford with Steve and their son Freddie, was diagnosed with the disease in June 2020.
The cancerous lump that she found was removed exactly a year later on July 24, her birthday.
She has since shared her experience of going through weeks of treatment with regular updates for her followers on social media, encouraging women to get checked.
Miss Crouch has now been given the all-clear.
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