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Liz Hurley, Arun Nayar wed

Coming to Rajasthan for Indian wedding

— File photo: AFP

Businessman Arun Nayar and actor Elizabeth Hurley.

LONDON: Model and actress Elizabeth Hurley has secretly married Indian businessman Arun Nayar, and the couple were preparing to host a lavish wedding party at an English castle later on Saturday.

Hurley, 41, and Nayar, 42, married on Friday in a civil ceremony in western England at Sudeley Castle, a local government spokeswoman said.

``We can confirm a marriage took place in a private ceremony,'' a Gloucestershire county council spokeswoman told Reuters.

Reverend John Partington told the Daily Mirror newspaper that he would bless the couple at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, describing his blessing as ``a celebration of their wedding.''

Situated in the picturesque Cotswolds, the castle is owned by the family of Henry Dent-Brocklehurst, who is a close friend of Hurley.

Patsy Kensit, singer Sir Elton John, fashion designer Donatella Versace as well as Hurley's former companion, British actor Hugh Grant, were expected to attend the party.

Hurley's 13-year relationship with Grant ended in 2000 after his well-publicised encounter with a prostitute.

Two years later, she had a son with U.S. film producer Steve Bing. She met Nayar, who has celebrity status himself, shortly after her child was born.

The Daily Mirror said the couple would travel to Rajasthan on Sunday for a traditional Indian-style wedding.

The ceremony will take place at the majestic 548-year-old Umaid Bhawan Palace. The sandstone art deco-style building is surrounded by 26 acres of flower-filled gardens and boasts lavish interiors.

Now that the couple are officially husband and wife, they will ``wed'' for a second time on Saturday — with five bridesmaids, ten pageboys, nine ushers and a choir.

In this ceremony, Hurley will walk up the aisle to the strains of Vivaldi. And like many modern brides, she will not promise to obey Nayar. Instead, she will be asked: ``Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony?

``Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?''

The Indian textile heir and computer company owner Arun will then make the same vow at the blessing in St. Mary's Church in the village of Winchombe.

Elizabeth and Arun have dated since 2003. Nayar was previously married to Italian model Valentina Pedroni. — Agencies, PTI

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Liz Hurley, Arun Nayar wed

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