Former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh has publicly embraced an alternative approach to Valentine's Day following her recent separation from husband Hugo Taylor. The 36-year-old television personality took to Instagram on Friday to share a photo of a London Underground whiteboard message titled 'Valentine's Day Alternatives', sparking conversation about celebrating the day without a romantic partner.
Creative Celebrations for Singles and Friends
The underground display suggested numerous playful alternatives to traditional Valentine's Day celebrations. Among the creative options were 'Galentine's Day - spend it with the girls', 'Malentine's Day - spend it with the lads', and 'Palentine's Day - spend it with friends'. Additional suggestions included 'Salentine's Day - spend it shopping', 'Sailentine's Day - spend it on a boat', and 'Tailentine's Day - spend it with pets', offering diverse ways to mark the occasion.
Promoting Sainsbury's Galentine's Range
Earlier that same day, Millie partnered with supermarket giant Sainsbury's to promote their special Valentine's Day range. On Instagram, she appeared stunning in a sheer white blouse and white satin skirt while preparing an elegant meal of steak, hot maple carrots, and truffle dauphinoise potatoes. She extended the 'Dine in for Two' concept to accommodate four friends, pouring glasses of non-alcoholic fizz for her gathering.
Millie wrote in her caption: 'This year, @sainsburys made Galentine's feel really easy which is exactly what you want when you're hosting. Galentine's is one of my favourite nights of the year, an excuse to get the girls together, get dressed up and actually sit down and enjoy the evening.'
Prioritising Friends After Separation
This focus on female friendships comes shortly after Millie's separation from Hugo Taylor earlier this month. The former Made In Chelsea stars, who share daughters Sienna, five, and Aurelia, four, announced their separation on February 2, seven years after exchanging vows in June 2018.
Sources close to the couple confirm they remain committed to co-parenting their young children, maintaining them as their top priority while working to preserve a loving family environment. A source told the Daily Mail: 'Millie and Hugo are currently going through a separation and have sadly decided to split. They have known each other for many years, and in recent weeks, have had serious conversations about their future, ultimately deciding it's better for them both to part ways.'
The insider added: 'Their main priority remains their children and family life, and separating is not something they ever hoped would happen. At present, they are considering what living apart might look like and how they plan to navigate co-parenting their young children. It's been an incredibly difficult start to the year, and one they hope to continue managing in private.'
Wellness Retreat and New Beginnings
Last month, Millie travelled to India to attend a wellness retreat designed to 'heal' the nervous system while Hugo was on a skiing holiday. During her stay, the reality star, who was photographed without her wedding ring, shared several posts hinting at a fresh chapter in her life.
She posted a thoughtful quote that read: 'You don't always have to know what comes next in your journey. Sometimes you just need to be where you are and know that it's okay to be there. There is so much beauty in accepting yourself, right here, in this moment. No matter what you are working towards, I hope you can always remember that finding peace in the present moment is just as important as the path ahead.'
In another Instagram story, she shared the more assertive message: 'And then the moon said to me, dear girl, it's time to own your f***ing power.'
Relationship History and Family Life
Millie first met Hugo as a teenager, and they began dating when she was 21, rising to fame together on the E4 reality series Made In Chelsea. In 2013, the heiress married rapper Professor Green, now 42, but the couple divorced in 2016, the same year she rekindled her relationship with Hugo.
The pair married two years later in 2018 and welcomed their first daughter, Sienna, in 2020, followed by Aurelia in 2021. Despite their separation, both parents remain dedicated to providing a stable and loving environment for their young children as they navigate this new phase of their lives.
