Liam Payne‘s ex-girlfriend returned to social media on Wednesday, hours after the One Direction star’s cause of death was revealed at a UK inquest.
Fans across the world were stunned by his sudden death and an outpouring of grief culminated in a touching funeral attended by musical royalty and all of Payne’s former bandmates.
Kate took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday and shared a snap of herself posing in beige tracksuit bottoms with a ‘444’ print on them.
The number has special significance for Kate and Liam as it was their ‘angel number’.
It’s an ideology that arguably roots back to the sixth century in Ancient Greece with the Pythagoreans, who believed that numbers had mystic, spiritual properties, with unique vibrational patterns that can provide insight into the nature of the universe.
Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend returned to social media on Wednesday, hours after the One Direction star’s cause of death was revealed at a UK inquest.
Payne was staying at the Casa Sur hotel in south America when he fell to his death after a drink-drug binge on October 16
Kate took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday and shared a snap of herself posing in beige tracksuit bottoms with a ‘444’ print on them, Liam’s ‘angel number’
Fast forward to today, and a modern interpretation of the concept, angel numbers, has surged in popularity, with individuals keen to secure an improved existence through the guidance of numbers and manifestation.
The sequence ‘444’ can signify protection, encouragement and support from the spiritual realm, as well as clarity, stability and security.
Believers in the trend report seeing angel number sequences everywhere, from bills and receipts to the time on the clock.
Alongside the snap, Kate wrote: ‘Ali [her friend] found me these sweatpants yesterday’ with a teary emoji.
Kate then shared a close up snap of the sweatpants with a message under the 444 that said: ‘Love, support, guidance from your angels’.
Kate had previously shared a snap of a note where Liam had written the numbers. It showed the former One Direction member’s fascination with angel numbers and ‘manifesting’.
Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bella Hadid and Jennifer Aniston have all spoken on angel numbers, which can act as a ‘manifestation tool’.
It comes after Payne’s medical cause of death was announced to be ‘polytrauma’, a term which means a person has multiple traumatic injuries to their body.
Liam previously wrote Kate a note, which he asked her not to open, pledged his hope that they would marry within the year and be ‘together forever’ alongside the number 444
Kate added an explanation of the ‘444 angel number sequence on her Instagram, saying it ‘reminds you that your angels are always there to support you’
Calling Liam her ‘best friend, the love of my life’, she said she is struggling to ‘figure out how to live’ without him
A hearing, which Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court said was held on December 17, was told it may take ‘some time’ to ascertain exactly how the 31-year-old died.
Five people have been charged over Payne’s death in Argentina after he fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel.
The hotel’s manager, a receptionist and a friend of Payne have been charged with manslaughter, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement.
They are reported to be hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi and Payne’s friend Roger Nores. Two other people have been charged over the supply of drugs.
His medical cause of death was confirmed by Dr Roberto Victor Cohen as ‘polytrauma’, meaning multiple traumatic injuries.
The hearing was also told Payne, who was described as a ‘singer and entertainer’ during the hearing, was formally identified ‘with the assistance of the funeral directors in Buckinghamshire.’
Payne was one of five members of hit boyband One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.
The band were formed on Simon Cowell’s The X Factor before becoming an international sensation.
The couple first started dating in October 2022 and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year
Liam died at age 31 on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires
Kate attended his funeral, which was also attended by his bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson
Last month, Kate shared an emotional post about dealing with grief at Christmas.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Christmas eve she shared a post which read: ‘As the holidays are here I realize it is a time for happiness and joy, but it is also a time of sadness and grief for so many.
‘Be gentle with those around you this time of year as the holidays can feel different for everyone. Sending all my love to those carrying grief this holiday.
‘I hope the season brings you comfort and peace. Wishing everyone a love-filled and healthy holiday season this year.
Earlier in the month Kate shared an emotional tribute to the late singer in a TikTok video which in the since-deleted clip showed adorable moments the couple shared during their two years together before his tragic death.
Nearly three weeks after laying him to rest in Amersham, near his hometown in England, she compiled the tribute video and wrote in her caption: ‘I love you.’
In a minute-and-a-half TikTok post, she compiled clips of them to the song Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.
They were seen laughing, hugging and kissing on adventures all over the world — at a theme park, at scenic locations and in the cozy home they shared together in Miami.
In one clip, Liam was picking her up as she yelped in delight.
Payne (centre) was one of five members of hit boyband One Direction alongside (L-R) Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson (pictured in 2013)
She shared a clip of them enjoying a cozy getaway in a cabin and exchanging bright smiles.
His grieving girlfriend also posted videos of them laughing while skiing and having fun at the bowling alley.
She included clips of them cuddling in bed, sharing kisses on romantic dates and dancing in the bathroom together.
The couple first started dating in October 2022 and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year.
Before his tragic passing, they had travelled to Argentina together to support his former bandmate Niall Horan at his concert.
Kate returned to their Miami home days before Liam’s passing in Buenos Aires.
In a TikTok video she shared in the days before the tragedy, she explained that she was homesick after their five-day getaway turned into a two-week trip.
She later attended his funeral, which was also attended by his bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
Liam’s ex, Cheryl Cole, the mother of his seven-year-old son Bear, was also in attendance.
The autopsy concluded that he died from multiple injuries and external bleeding after falling from his room’s balcony on the third floor of the CasaSur hotel in the upscale neighbourhood of Palermo.
The toxicological exams showed that there were ‘traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescribed antidepressant’ in his body prior to his passing.