Zawe Ashton recently clarified that she and Tom Hiddleston are not officially married, despite her occasional use of the term “husband” to describe him. The British actor spoke about their relationship during a recent episode of the Miss Me? podcast, setting the record straight amid ongoing speculation about their marital status.
Engagement, Not Marriage, Is Their Current Status
Ashton revealed that the couple has been engaged for a significant time but has not yet tied the knot. She explained to podcast co-host Miquita Oliver,
“We’ve been engaged for a long time and there are, I think there have been publications that have named us husband and wife already.”
This misconception has caused some awkward moments with friends and family. Ashton reflected,
“There’s some toxic paragraphs that were thrown my way like, ‘OK, no invite, whatever.’ It’s like, ‘No, no, no, it didn’t happen. We didn’t do it in secret. We haven’t eloped.”
The Meaning Behind Their Choice to Remain Engaged
For Ashton and Hiddleston, formalizing their relationship through marriage seems to hold less importance compared to the commitment they share. Ashton, who is expecting her second child with Hiddleston, noted the complex nature of labels in their family life. She stated,
“at some point, like ‘girlfriend, boyfriend,’ with a kid, another one on the way,”
it naturally leads to questioning the relevance of traditional titles.
Elaborating on engagement, Ashton said,
“Engagement is really useful. Why is everyone like, ‘I’m getting engaged to get married?’ I’m like, No, be engaged… Work things out. Because that’s a big ‘yes,’ that opens up a whole new tapestry of like, understanding between you, between you and each other’s families, because you are saying yes to each other’s whole lives.”
She added with affection, “I’ve loved engagement.”
The Couple’s Public History and Growing Family
Ashton and Hiddleston’s relationship became public in 2019, after starring together in the West End revival of Harold Pinter’s play Betrayal, which later moved to New York City. Their collaboration on stage marked the beginning of their widely followed partnership.
In June 2022, Tom Hiddleston confirmed his proposal to Ashton during an interview with the Los Angeles Times. That same month, Ashton announced her pregnancy with their first child while attending the premiere of Mr. Malcolm’s List, visibly showing her baby bump in a tulle gown on the red carpet.
Recently, Ashton revealed that she is expecting their second child during an interview with Vogue. Despite the magazine referring to Hiddleston as Ashton’s husband, the couple has not publicly announced a marriage.
What This Means for Their Future Together
Zawe Ashton’s openness about their engagement rather than marriage suggests a modern and thoughtful approach to commitment, prioritizing shared understanding and family bonds over traditional ceremonies. Their evolving family life, with two children on the way, indicates a stable and growing partnership.
As the couple continues their journey, fans can expect Ashton and Hiddleston to define their relationship on their own terms, embracing the significance of engagement and family without necessarily following conventional timelines.
