Kate Ferdinand Shares Sweet Beach Moment with Daughter After Dubai Escape
Kate Ferdinand has shared a heartwarming Instagram photo with her two-year-old daughter Shae, enjoying a beach day in Portugal on Friday. This comes after the family fled their £6.5 million home in Dubai following missile and drone attacks from Iran, as revealed by The Daily Mail last week.
Matching Swimwear and Family Update
The former TOWIE star, 34, posted a snap where she and Shae wore matching white and black polka dot swimwear. Kate showcased her figure in a triangle bikini top paired with a £20 Next sarong, styling her blonde hair loose under a woven black cowgirl hat and sunglasses. She captioned the photo 'Matching with mummy' and sweetly kissed her toddler during their outing.
Kate and her husband Rio Ferdinand, 47, are now staying at their luxury holiday home in Portugal. The couple also share five-year-old son Cree, and Kate is step-mother to Rio's children Lorenz, 19, Tate, 17, and Tia, 14, whose mother Rebecca Ellison passed away from breast cancer in 2009.
Rio's Social Media Posts and Family Adjustments
Last month, Rio posted a bare-chested selfie on social media, sipping Portuguese Super Bock beer on a sun-kissed terrace at their Algarve villa near Quinta do Lago. He referenced football results, adding clinking beer glass emojis and writing 'Happy Saturday people!' The villa is where he runs summer football camps and where the family vacationed last year.
The move to Dubai included Rio's daughter Tia and their two younger children, while his older sons remained in the UK. Kate expressed homesickness, stating, 'I miss home quite a lot... I miss the big boys a lot and I'm just struggling with that.' She acknowledged the decision was right for their younger children but highlighted the difficulty of family separation.
Dubai Experiences and Conflict Aftermath
Earlier this month, Kate discussed living in Dubai during Ramadan, noting shorter school days and appreciating the cultural exposure for her children. However, the conflict escalated, with Rio describing frightening moments in a bomb shelter. He said on his podcast, 'It's frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets... You want to try and remain calm.' He added they felt secure but scared, using his studio as a bunker with duvets.
Before leaving, Kate assured followers they were safe, praising the government's efforts. The family had moved from Bromley, south-east London, to a luxury villa in Al Barari, Dubai, last summer, enjoying al fresco dinners and nightlife.
Other Influencers Fleeing Dubai
The Ferdinands were among several influencers who left Dubai after the attacks. Luisa Zissman, star of The Apprentice, returned to her £8 million Hertfordshire home, posting about her 'refugee era' while leaving her dog and horses behind. She had previously expressed faith in Dubai's defence systems.
Other departures include:
- Former Love Island star Sam Gowland, who left for Mauritius.
- Socialite Petra Ecclestone with her husband and four children, though she denied 'escaping'.
- Sophia Peschisolido, daughter of Karren Brady, US actress Lindsay Lohan, and Taylor Ward from Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Those remaining include Katie Price's husband Andrew Lee, singer Jamelia, and boxer Amir Khan, but their stay is uncertain. The exodus highlights the impact of the conflict on expatriates in Dubai.
