Kate Ferdinand Opens Up About Daily Routine and Emotional Struggles in Dubai
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Kate Ferdinand has provided a candid glimpse into her life in Dubai, revealing a packed schedule of workouts, therapy sessions, and school runs, while simultaneously grappling with profound homesickness for the United Kingdom. The 34-year-old influencer, who relocated to the United Arab Emirates with her husband Rio Ferdinand and their children in August last year, recently broke down in tears during a podcast episode, confessing to the emotional toll of the move.
A Structured Day in the Emirates
Kate's typical day begins at 6 a.m., when she rises to prepare for the morning ahead. After waking her children, she assists them with dressing, hairstyling, and breakfast before embarking on the school run. The family includes her two-year-old daughter Shae, five-year-old son Cree, and Rio's 14-year-old daughter Tia. Notably, Rio's two eldest sons, Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, remained in the UK to pursue their burgeoning football careers, a separation that has been particularly challenging for Kate.
Following the school run, Kate attends meetings, enjoys lunch, and often participates in remote work sessions from the comfort of her sofa. Evenings are dedicated to winding down the younger children for bedtime by 6:30 p.m., after which she engages in an online therapy session. The day concludes with quality time spent with stepdaughter Tia and personal relaxation using an LED face mask before retiring for the night.
Emotional Adjustments and Missing Home
In a heartfelt episode of her Blended podcast, Kate expressed the complex emotions surrounding her new life. "I feel like we've opened our eyes to a different world. But I love London, I love the UK. I love so many things about the UK," she shared. "I do feel happy in Dubai, but I'm just missing a part of me." This sentiment was amplified after a cozy Christmas spent in London, making the return to Dubai particularly difficult.
Kate admitted that while Dubai offers an "amazing place to live" and a thriving environment for her children, she deeply misses her stepsons and the familiar comforts of home. "Rio loves it so much. I am enjoying it, but I miss home quite a lot. I get upset. I miss the big boys a lot and I'm just struggling with that," she revealed. The adjustment has been significant for the blended family, who have historically remained closely united.
Family Dynamics and Safety Perceptions
Despite the emotional hurdles, Kate highlighted positive aspects of the relocation. She noted that Rio, 47, has become more present with the family since stepping back from his punditry role with TNT Sports last year. "When he's at home he's at home and present, whereas before he was working a lot," she explained, adding that he now frequently assists with school runs, enhancing their family time.
Additionally, Kate emphasized feeling far safer in Dubai compared to the UK, though she humorously confessed to even missing the English weather, including the rain and cool air. She appreciates the multicultural exposure for her children in Dubai but yearns for the diverse cultural tapestry of England. "If I could merge the two worlds together it would be absolutely perfect," she mused.
Ongoing Challenges and Public Candidness
Since the beginning of the year, Kate has been transparent with her followers about broader struggles, including fatigue and the pressure to manage everything as a working mother. Her openness extends to discussing the difficulties of saying goodbye after visits from friends, which temporarily alleviated her loneliness but made departures harder.
Ultimately, Kate acknowledges that the move was the right decision for her younger children and the family's overall stability, but the separation from Rio's eldest sons remains a poignant challenge. "It's very hard because we've been through so much as a family and we've always been together and that's a huge adjustment," she concluded, underscoring the ongoing journey of adaptation in her new life abroad.
