Israeli Actress Hadar Gabay Marries English Lord Descendant in Loire Valley

Hadar Gabay, a 31-year-old Israeli theater actress and French culture lecturer, and Matthew Eaves, a 38-year-old English café owner and father of two, have been together for four years and recently married in the Loire Valley, France. Hadar grew up in Givatayim, Israel, studied theater and French, and first visited Paris during university. Matthew, from Shropshire, England, moved to France as a teenager, fell in love with French life, and established his own café.

Their paths crossed during rehearsals for a theater production in the Loire Valley, where Hadar was cast in a play by Maya Arad-Yasur. Matthew's café, known for its vintage style, became their meeting place. Despite initial misunderstandings about Matthew’s marital status, they connected deeply, with Matthew chasing after Hadar at a train station to return her scarf, marking the start of their romance.

Over two months, they communicated frequently before meeting for their first date in Angers, where they shared their first kiss. Matthew revealed to Hadar that he is a direct descendant of Lord Edward Conway, a 16th-century viscount, and related distantly to Prince William through Diana. Although Matthew grew up with the pressure of noble lineage, he values it as part of his heritage rather than a status symbol.

Nine months after meeting, Hadar moved in with Matthew and his daughters. Two years ago, Matthew proposed during a lunch on the Orient Express train, and their families embraced the union warmly. They held a double wedding in late April, first officially at the town hall in France, then a celebration at a Shropshire estate blending Israeli, French, and English traditions, including a Jewish-inspired ceremony with Matthew wearing a kippah and breaking a glass.

Both express joy in their multicultural life and partnership, with Hadar embracing life in France and Matthew cherishing his new chapter with Hadar and his daughters.