Gwen Stefani‘s wedding to her The Voice co-star Blake Shelton is now full-speed ahead thanks to the Vatican.
The pop star was reportedly “finally granted” an annulment from her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale by the Catholic Church, according to a source who spoke to Us Weekly. Five years after the former couple got divorced, the source says, “Gwen was told the decision was made by the Vatican tribunal. She will be receiving the notification in writing in the next few weeks, but it’s official.” And apparently, this unsettled annulment wasn’t just about tying up loose ends, but an actual barrier stopping Stefani and Shelton from marrying. The source added, “It was a huge relief for Gwen because she wanted to get married by her priest and have the marriage recognized by the Catholic church.”
In March 2019, Us first reported that the singer wanted to begin “the formal process” to have her first marriage annulled “so she can marry Blake and have it be recognized by the church. Gwen’s religion has always been extremely important to her, and Blake is completely supportive of this.” However, the pandemic reportedly made Stefani have a change of heart and question postponing their union a minute longer. A source told the outlet in June, “COVID-19 has turned their world upside down, as it has with so many families. Gwen knows she is blessed and wants to have the wedding as soon as social distancing guidelines are lifted. Gwen wants to have a ceremony and reception with their family and friends.” She decided that waiting for the church to officially recognize the end of her marriage was “futile because it could take years” to receive a final decision.
But now it seems there’s no obstacle standing in the way of this newly betrothed couple. The pair, who met in 2015, announced their engagement in October and reportedly plan to wed “most likely early next year.” Shelton has even “built a chapel on the grounds of his Oklahoma ranch” for the ceremony that a source says, is “really a tribute to their love.”
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
— Inside the Always Online, All-Consuming World of Twin Flames Universe
— Rudy Giuliani’s Daughter, Caroline, on How to Accept That Trump Lost
— Carl Lentz, Ranin Karim, and Hillsong’s Unfurling Scandal
— Billie Eilish Shares How She Spent the Pandemic in Latest Time Capsule
— The Queen Says Goodbye to Her Beloved Dorgi, Vulcan
— Barack Obama on His Book, the Election, and What Actually Makes America Great
— How We Unmasked the Hollywood Con Queen Suspect
— From the Archive: Her Most Loyal Subjects, a History of the Queen’s Kennels
— Not a subscriber? Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.