England midfielder Declan Rice's long-term partner Lauren Fryer will be cheering him on from the stands as England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. The couple, who have been together since their teenage years, have faced challenges from online abuse directed at Fryer.
Childhood Sweethearts
Rice and Fryer began dating at Grey Court School in south-west London when they were 17, while Rice was rising through West Ham United's academy. They have been together for over a decade and welcomed their first child, Jude, in August 2022. Despite Rice's rapid rise to prominence, including winning the UEFA Europa Conference League with West Ham in 2023 and his £100 million move to Arsenal, the couple have maintained a low profile.
Online Abuse and Support
Fryer has been subjected to horrendous online abuse and body-shaming, which led her to deactivate her social media accounts at the end of 2023. Dani Dyer, who married Rice's former West Ham teammate Jarrod Bowen, defended Fryer in an interview with HELLO! Magazine in June 2024. "I think it's harder when you are not in (the celebrity world) and you are being personally attacked," Dyer said. "She is a really good mum, who keeps to herself. No one deserves to be criticised like that, it was so cruel."
Friendship with Mason Mount
Rice's close friendship with Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount has also drawn attention. The pair grew up together in Chelsea's academy and remain close on international duty. Rice jokingly said in 2019 that his relationship with Mount made Fryer question his fidelity. "My missus is quite worried," he said. "She’s just always: ‘You two... you love him more than you love me,’ honestly."
Impact on World Cup Attendance
The abuse Fryer has faced, both online and from opposing fans in stadiums, nearly led her to miss the World Cup due to distress. However, she has been seen with three-year-old Jude at England's matches in North America as the team aims to reach a first World Cup final since 1966. Rice has expressed his love for Fryer, calling her "the love of my life."
