Kate Ferdinand gave a sweet nod to stepson Tate’s late mother Rebecca Ellison as she threw an epic party on Tuesday to celebrate his 18th birthday.
The former TOWIE star, 34, co-parents Tate, Lorenz, 19, and Tia, 15, who her husband Rio, 47, had with his late wife Rebecca, who tragically died from breast cancer in 2015 aged 34.
And as they marked Tate’s milestone birthday with a jubilant celebration at the family’s villa in Portugal, Kate – who also shares two-year-old daughter Shae, and son Cree, five, with Rio – was sure to keep Rebecca’s memory alive amid the occasion.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the TV personality uploaded a number of snaps from the party, one of which was a collection of photos which included a young Tate and Lorenz with their late mother.
The sweet image, which saw Rebecca cuddling her young sons, took pride of place among other family photographs, proving that she’s still fondly remembered over a decade since her passing.
The touching tribute to Rebecca was picked up by Kate’s fans, who were quick to comment on what a lovely gesture this was.
Kate Ferdinand gave a sweet nod to stepson Tate’s late mother Rebecca Ellison as she threw an epic party on Tuesday to celebrate his 18th birthday.
As they marked Tate’s milestone birthday with a jubilant celebration at the family’s villa in Portugal, Kate was sure to keep Rebecca’s memory alive amid the occasion
They penned: ‘That pic of the 2 boys with their mummy, you’re the best
‘The pictures with their mum, honestly no one better could have come into their lives and took on the shoes of mum’
‘So lovely to have that memory of his mum’; ‘How gorgeous was Rebecca’
‘The picture of him with his mom got me, we all know she was watching!’
‘Their mummy would be so proud of you Kate’; ‘The way you included his Mum in this’.
Meanwhile, Kate showcased other parts of the celebrations, including a lovely snap of herself, Rio and all five of their children.
She also showed off the lavish decor by the pool, including dozens of candles in glass flutes and giant light up letters that spelled out ‘Tate’.
Decorations also included mini burger toppers depicting a toddler aged Tate with a party hat on his head, personalised chip cartons and sunglasses emblazoned with ‘Tate 18’.
The touching tribute to Rebecca was picked up by Kate’s fans, who were quick to comment on what a lovely gesture this was
Rebecca Ellison [Pictured with Rio] tragically died from breast cancer in 2015 aged 34
Tate, who actually turns 18 in August, could be seen with a sparkler in his mouth as he danced the night away with his loved ones
The teenager twinned with older brother Lorenz, with the siblings sporting matching black outfits
Kate also showed off the lavish decor by the pool, including dozens of candles in glass flutes and giant light up letters that spelled out ‘Tate’
Decorations also included mini burger toppers depicting a toddler aged Tate with a party hat on his head, personalised chip cartons and sunglasses emblazoned with ‘Tate 18’
The gallery also included images of Kate and Rio, who married in 2019, looking loved up while sharing sweet moments together
The couple beamed for the camera as they celebrated at their holiday home in Portugal
Kate ensured she was dressed to impress for the occasion, slipping her trim physique into a pale pink dress which featured a drop waist
Elsewhere Tate, who actually turns 18 in August, could be seen with a sparkler in his mouth as he danced the night away with his loved ones.
While the gallery also included images of Kate and Rio, who married in 2019, looking loved up while sharing sweet moments together.
Kate ensured she was dressed to impress for the occasion, slipping her trim physique into a pale pink dress which featured a drop waist.
In the past, the influencer has opened up the heartbreaking struggle she experienced as a stepmother to her husband Rio’s children after they lost their mother.
Kate battled strong emotions while bonding with her stepchildren, claiming she felt as she was ‘walking in the steps of someone else’s life’ as her relationship with former footballer Rio blossomed.
In her book How To Build A Family, she wrote: ‘If I could bring Rebecca back, I would in an instant because of the pain I’ve seen in them.
‘A child losing their parent is horrendous.
‘You want to scoop them up and bring their mum back to make them happy, but you can’t.
‘As a step-parent coming into a bereaved home, you can sometimes find yourself in situations where you feel like you’re walking in the steps of someone else’s life.’
She went on to say how she felt as if she herself was grieving Rebecca even though she had never met her, with other step-parents experiencing the same.
Television personality Kate admitted she felt guilty for the emotions she felt ‘because it wasn’t about me’.
And she came to realise she had a connection with Rebecca as they were both mothers to the children, realising how it must have felt for Rebecca to leave her children behind while wanting to do the best for them.
