Kate Winslet’s husband Ned Rocknroll changes his surname back to Smith
The nephew of Sir Richard Branson, changed his name by deed poll in 2008 from Edward Abel Smith to Edward Rocknroll because he thought his original name was 'boring'
MOVIE star Kate Winslet is no longer officially hitched to ‘Mr Rocknroll’ – because her tongue-in-cheek hubby Ned has changed his surname back to ‘Smith’, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Kate’s hubby, who is the nephew of Sir Richard Branson, changed his name by deed poll in 2008 from Edward Abel Smith to Edward Rocknroll because he thought his original name was “boring.”
But sources say actress Kate was embarrassed about the surname and the implications it might have on their child .... Bear.
Kate never changed her name - keeping her maiden surname Winslet. But Ned has now changed his surname back to Smith.
A source said: “It was always a bit of a joke. He is a very happy-go-lucky person.
“He never takes life that seriously but sometimes life changes and now he wants to be a bit more serious.
“He decided to change it back to Smith because he is now a dad and wants to set an example. Kate also felt it might be embarrassing for their child as he got older.”
Ned was made Head of Marketing Promotion and Astronaut Experience at his uncle’s spaceflight company Virgin Galactic, which develops commercial spacecraft to take tourists to space.
After getting married to Kate he reportedly decided to stay at home to take care of their kids and to renovate their £3.5million mansion. Kate often refers to her “incredibly supportive” husband in interviews.
According to Ned’s first wife, he thought people often take themselves too seriously, and discussed many times changing his boring birth name to something fun.
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He even considered having no surname at all, but that was not an option legally.
Over the years, his unique surname and his high profile relationships have kept him in the news.
A spokesman for Kate and Ned declined to comment but a source close to them confirmed he has changed his surname back to Smith.
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