Maro Itoje and spouse Mimi pose for glamorous journal photoshoot with England captain and his mannequin bride dubbed sport’s ‘hottest new energy couple’
England captain Maro Itoje and his wife Mimi have been dubbed the sporting world’s hottest new power couple after starring in a cover shoot for Hello! magazine.
The couple married in May of last year, before hosting a traditional Nigerian wedding party in late August following the 31-year-old’s participation in the British and Irish Lions‘ Tour in Australia.
Itoje called the festivities ‘the highlight’ of his 2025, as he shared details of the ceremony, which was attended by team-mates including Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Elliot Daly (Saracens, England and Lions), Ollie Lawrence (England), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens and England), Marcus Smith (England and Lions), and Ben Earl (Saracens, England and Lions).
‘Even though we were already married, I went in with my groomsmen and formally asked Mimi’s family for their permission to marry her,’ he shared with the publication.
Mimi, who is a model and artist, added: ‘Then we had a big, very fun party.
‘Straight after the (May) wedding, Maro had to go to Australia, so we’ve only really been experiencing married life at home in London for the past three or four months. It’s been lovely.’
Maro Itoje and his wife Mimi posed for the front cover of Hello! magazine ahead of the start of the Six Nations
The England captain married his model and artist bride in May before a second ceremony in late August
But amid the whirlwind of newlywed life, Mimi admitted that she was ‘still learning’ the rules of rugby and ‘getting her bearings’, having known little about the sport before meeting her now-husband.
The English lock also opened up on the experience he has had meeting member of the Royal family through his role within Steve Borthwick’s set-up, noting how the Princess of Wales – the RFU’s patron – would engage in ‘banter’ with her husband, the patron of Welsh Rugby.
‘William can’t celebrate too hard when England win,’ Itoje noted.
England duly beat Wales 48-7 to kick off their Six Nations campaign last weekend during a tie where Itoje started from the bench, having joined up with Borthwick’s camp a little later following the tragic death of his mother Florence.
Itoje flew to Nigeria for her funeral before joining the team’s training camp in Girona ahead of the Wales tie, with his coach keen to stress that his captain had his and the team’s full support.
Itoje has met the RFU patron the Princess of Wales a number of times and has a good rapport with her
The 31-year-old took part in England’s clash with Wales from the bench, following the death of his late mother
‘We all deeply saddened for him,’ England head coach Borthwick said of Itoje. ‘It has been incredibly challenging for him and his family.
‘Being in Nigeria this week is an important step for him and everyone close to him.
‘I think he will be really looking forward to being back with the team and focusing on the Test matches to come.’
Itoje confirmed his mother’s passing in December, describing the sad news as ‘by far the biggest and most painful loss I have ever experienced.’
