Who is Ned RocknRoll? Born Abel Smith he is Richard Branson's nephew and ex-husband to socialite Eliza Pearson... meet Kate Winslet's new husband

He is Richard Branson's nephew and now Kate Winslet's new husband, but who is Ned RocknRoll?

The 34-year-old businessman was born Abel Smith but changed his name by deed poll in 2008 to the unusual moniker.

Ned works for his uncle's space travel company Virgin Galactic and holds the title of Head of Marketing Promotion and Astronaut Experience.

Who is Kate Winslet's new husband? Ned RocknRoll changed his name by deed poll in 2008, has been married before and is the nephew of Sir Richard Branson

Who is Kate Winslet's new husband? Ned RocknRoll changed his name by deed poll in 2008, has been married before and is the nephew of Sir Richard Branson

Although it sounds fancy, he isn't listed on the 'Meet The Team' page of the company's website and the only mention of him can be found as a picture credit on the page introducing the new SpaceShipTwo.

Ned, who wed Kate in an intimate ceremony in New York shortly before Christmas, has been married before, to British socialite Eliza Pearson and their union lasted two years.

He has a flair for spontaneity, after sharing their first kiss together at a friend's party, he invited her to Branson's island Necker the following day - Eliza accepted the invitation and the pair stayed for a week.

Two years later in 2008, Ned popped the question and the pair had their official ceremony on the Caribbean island in August 2009.

He's quirky! Ned, who was formerly Abel Smith, wed Eliza Pearson in August 2009, the pair had a quirky celebration the following month at her home

He's quirky! Ned, who was formerly Abel Smith, wed Eliza Pearson in August 2009, the pair had a quirky celebration the following month at her home

First sighting: After meeting in August 2011 the pair were first spotted together in September of that year

First sighting: After meeting in August 2011 the pair were first spotted together in September of that year

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A month later, they held their wedding party for 200 guests in the grounds of Cowdray Park House in West Sussex.

Speaking about the celebration Eliza said: ‘A Shaman conducted the ceremony, and knotted our hands together as our friends sat around us in a circle. It was very unconventional – very us. Ned wore a nice suit – for once – because it was our wedding, it was serious.

‘Then we had a beach party. It was a beautiful day, with perfect weather. There was a DJ on the beach, playing dance music. We had a bonfire and bongo drummers. There were also Ugandan dancers.’

The couple separated in April 2011 and applied for a divorce in June, in September of that year Ned told Eliza he was in a relationship with Winslet.

Close bond: The actress met Ned while on holiday on Necker island in August 2011. She helped to rescue Sir Richard Branson's mother from the house after it set on fire

Close bond: The actress met Ned while on holiday on Necker island in August 2011. She helped to rescue Sir Richard Branson's mother from the house after it set on fire

The Titanic star had fallen for the RocknRoll during a trip to Necker in August 2011despite arriving on the island with her on-off boyfriend model Louis Dowler.

It was during this trip that Kate saved Sir Richard's 90-year-old mother from a fire.

Kate was with her two children Mia, 10, and Joe, seven, when she carried Richard's mother Eve downstairs, after his home on the island burned to the ground on August 22.

The couple were first spotted together in September of last year and got engaged this summer.

Inseparable: Since September 2011 when they went public with their relationship the pair have been smitten. They secretly got engaged this summer

Inseparable: Since September 2011 when they went public with their relationship the pair have been smitten. They secretly got engaged this summer


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