England's most eligible bachelor, actor Hugh Grant, is finally tying the knot. The BBC reported that the "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Notting Hill" star is set to be wed to Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein.
Neither Grant, 57, nor a representative for him, has commented on the engagement. However, several British publications, including The Sun have posted a picture of the couple’s wedding banns — a public notice posted in the register office that includes details of where a couple plans to get married.
The notice was posted in the Chelsea Register Office at Chelsea Old Town Hall, near the couple's home. The unexpected news stood out even amid the excitement of the weekend's royal wedding.
Hugh Grant and Anna Eberstein have been together for six years
Grant and Anna Eberstein, 39, have been very private about their relationship over the past six years. She is the mother of three of Grant's five children. Grant had his other two children with his former partner, Tinglan Hong. Grant most recently appeared in the film "Paddington 2" and in a television miniseries, "A Very English Scandal." He's gotten rave reviews for his portrayal of 1970s British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe, the first British politician ever to be on trial for a conspiracy to commit murder.
His "Paddington 2" co-star Ben Whishaw stars alongside him on the show.
Grant spoke against marriage in the past
Hugh Grant has been painted as an eternal bachelor throughout his career, both through his movie roles and real-life exploits. He was notorious for dating a string of women throughout his career. He's been linked to actress and model Liz Hurley, and movie co-stars Martine McCutcheon and Drew Barrymore. He was famously arrested in Los Angeles, California, for lewd conduct with a prostitute in 1995. The scandal had the potential to ruin his career. Instead, Grant charmed his way into the hearts of fans with his apology interview on the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
The Golden Globe-winning actor was vocally adverse to marriage in the past.
AOL recited his 2016 interview with Howard Stern, where he called marriage "unromantic" and questioned the reasonableness, "long monogamous, faithful relationships".
But Grant has certainly changed his mind since meeting Eberstein. The Sun reported that his ex-girlfriend and friend Liz Hurley attributes his new attitude for marriage to fatherhood, quoting, “Having these kids has transformed him from a very miserable person into a fairly miserable person." The Sun also reported that Hugh Grant is set to be wed later this month.