Annabel Croft's Family Expands with New Grandchild Announcement
Former British tennis champion Annabel Croft has expressed overwhelming delight at becoming a grandmother for the second time within a year. Her son, Charlie Coleman, aged 29, and his wife, Honour Wainwright, 30, have revealed they are expecting their first child together. The couple shared their joyful news while honeymooning in South Africa, posting intimate photographs on social media that showcased Honour's prominent baby bump.
Lavish Wedding and Honeymoon Celebration
Charlie Coleman and Honour Wainwright, who works as marketing director at her family's prestigious Boodles jewellery house, married in an extravagant society ceremony in Hampshire during August of last year. Their honeymoon took place at the luxurious five-star Shumbalala Game Lodge, situated within South Africa's exclusive Thornybush Game Reserve. Honour humorously captioned one Instagram post with 'Honeymooning with a third wheel', accompanied by a pregnant woman emoji, as the couple enjoyed safari adventures and romantic moments.
Photographs from their getaway depicted the newlyweds posing beside a Land Rover-style buggy bearing a personalised 'The Colemans' number plate. Additional images captured them relishing a floating breakfast in an infinity pool, sipping sundowners during game drives, and observing majestic wildlife including lions, elephants, and gazelles in their natural habitat. Charlie also shared snapshots from the trip, receiving enthusiastic comments from his mother Annabel, who responded with wild animal and pregnancy emojis alongside her praise.
Emotional Context of Family Loss and Recovery
This heartwarming pregnancy announcement arrives nearly three years after Annabel Croft endured the devastating loss of her beloved husband, Mel Coleman, who passed away in May 2023. The former investment banker and yachtsman succumbed to sepsis while battling stage four colon cancer at age 60, merely eight weeks after diagnosis and just two months before what would have been the couple's 30th wedding anniversary. Annabel has previously described her husband as her 'rock' and the foundation of her confidence and humour, calling his death 'horrendous'.
The tennis legend, who reached Wimbledon's fourth round in 1984 before retiring at 21, credited her participation in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 with helping her navigate profound grief. Reaching the semi-finals months after Mel's passing provided crucial purpose, with Annabel explaining 'It has given me a reason to be able to get up in the morning and have purpose rather than just sobbing at home.' She commented on Honour's pregnancy post with 'Absolutely wonderful' and a heart emoji, embracing this new chapter of family happiness.
Growing Family and Previous Celebrations
Annabel Croft first became a grandmother in October last year when her eldest daughter, Amber Coleman, 31, welcomed a baby boy named Arlo William Melvyn Llewellyn with her financier husband Hector Llewellyn. The middle name Melvyn poignantly honours Amber's late father. Annabel, who playfully refers to herself as 'Grannabel', described being 'besotted' with her first grandchild, calling him 'completely adorable' and appreciating how babies re-engage adults with the world's simplicity.
The Coleman-Wainwright wedding last year was a spectacular affair reflecting the bride's desire for 'more Kate Moss than Kate Middleton' style. Annabel dazzled guests in a floral gown with feather-adorned fascinator during the church ceremony. The couple departed in a vintage Land Rover decorated with a 'just married' sign and tennis rackets trailing behind—a charming tribute to the groom's tennis champion mother. The Hampshire reception featured dinner under an ivy-strewn pavilion, with Charlie performing his wedding dance to 'You're the One that I Want' from Grease, while Annabel was spotted crowd surfing with her new daughter-in-law.
Family Reactions and Future Happiness
Honour's pregnancy revelation prompted an outpouring of congratulatory messages from friends and relatives. Charlie's sister, television presenter Lily Saffron Coleman, commented 'Stunnnningggg' with heart and pregnancy emojis. Actress Nell Hudson from Call the Midwife, who welcomed her first child last year, responded with three red heart emojis. The engagement ring Honour wears—an exclusive ashoka cut diamond from Boodles—beautifully represents her family's jewellery heritage.
This baby news follows another happy family announcement from September last year, when Annabel's younger daughter Lily, 27, revealed her engagement to investment director Felix McCorquodale, who belongs to a prominent aristocratic family with connections to Princess Diana's late stepmother Raine Spencer. Annabel described Lily's engagement as 'the most wonderful news', expressing delight that her children have found 'the most wonderful partners'.
Annabel Croft has shared that she often feels her late husband's presence during significant family moments, finding white feathers at home that she interprets as signs from Mel. Embracing a renewed perspective since her loss, she stated 'When a door opens, go and explore. At my age, and with everything that's happened, I'm not afraid to fail.' This latest pregnancy announcement brings continued joy and growth to the Croft-Coleman family, marking another chapter of celebration following periods of profound sorrow.
