It should have been a love-filled reunion, but radio star Kate Ritchie and her husband Stuart Webb looked anything but happily married as they reunited in Sydney last week.
Returning home after what Kate, 39, called the “work trip of a lifetime” to cover the royal wedding in London for her Nova radio show, she looked visibly upset and overwhelmed as she stepped out for a seemingly fraught walk in Coogee with her husband of seven years.
Low spirits
Despite Stuart doing his best to cuddle and kiss her, Kate Ritchie – who shares three-year-old daughter Mae with her former rugby league star husband – seemed reluctant to make physical contact.
“Stuart seemed to be doing his best to instigate all the romance, but it looked like Kate was really guarded and not into it at all,” an onlooker tells.
Want more celebrity gossip? Listen to the latest episode of Woman’s Day Uncensored, where the team discuss Alex and Brendan Fevola’s baby news, share their verdict on the new reality series Love Island and reveal Prince Harry is searching for an Australian escape for him and Meghan Markle!
Indeed, at one stage she looked teary and pained as she turned her head away from him, her negative body language speaking volumes.
Meanwhile Stuart, 37, was clearly upset, even holding his head in his hands in despair at one point.
Kate’s downcast demeanour seems even more startling given the slew of happy social media posts she shared while overseas with co-hosts Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold.
Time apart
Clearly revelling in her freedom on the other side of the world, the former Home And Away star couldn’t stop gushing over her recent career highlight as she enjoyed the perks of hosting the show from the UK capital.
As well as mingling with celebrities like Rita Ora, the brunette beauty let her hair down on a series of boozy nights out with Tim and Marty at some of London’s top restaurants.
The couple looked to be having a serious discussion.
The former Home and Away star seemed reluctant to make physical contact.
“Thank you London and thank you @katetimmarty for the work trip of a lifetime,” she gushed on social media as she counselled herself not to wish the trip away too quickly.
Kate’s message was in stark contrast to her Instagram post a few days after she arrived back in Sydney. “It’s you against you every day. Make sure the right you wins,” she shared, seemingly hinting she might be struggling.
It’s no secret the couple’s marriage has been in turmoil for the past few years. Last year sources told Woman’s Day their constant fighting had taken them to the brink.
Certainly, they did little to quash rumours of marriage strife when Kate was spotted without her wedding ring – and without Stuart – for months on end.
Kate’s frosty body language spoke volumes as husband Stuart attempted to comfort her.
“Stuart seemed to be doing his best to instigate all the romance, but it looked like Kate was really guarded and not into it at all,” an onlooker tells.
Despite his best efforts, Kate didn’t let out.
But it seemed as though the pair were doing everything in their power to save their marriage when they invested in a make-or-break holiday to Western Australia, with sources telling us it was a last-ditch attempt to salvage their once happy union.
Now, with these latest pictures emerging, it seems as though the couple are right back where they once were – doing their best to make things work for the sake of their daughter.
The couple married in 2010 and share daughter Mae together. (Images/Matrix)
.jpg?resize=380%2C304&ssl=1)