Kate Ferdinand pays respect to Rio’s late wife Rebecca on her 40th birthday

Kate Ferdinand has paid her respects to husband Rio’s first wife on what would have been her 40th birthday.

On a poignant day, the 29-year-old former The Only Way Is Essex star, who is heavily pregnant with her first child with Rio, joined the parents of his first wife to mark the milestone day.

Kate was seen hugging Rebecca's parents, Lesley and Stephen, at a get together on Saturday night in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

The former reality star is the stepmother to Rebecca's children with Rio, Tia, nine, Tate, 12, and Lorenz, 14.

Rebecca tragically lost her battle with cancer in 2015 but she had revealed before her passing that she wanted Rio to find happiness again in the future.

A source close to the family told The Sun : "Kate was determined to attend the gathering despite being heavily pregnant and not finding it easy."

Joining Rebecca's parents at this tribute "meant everything to Kate" as she wanted to "show the Ellisons how much she cares."

It has been an emotional journey for Kate and Rio as they get to grips with the dynamic of Kate being a stepmother as the children continue to grieve the loss of their mum.

There were tears among viewers who watched Rio's children cry at Rebecca's grave on Mother's Day, as part of the BBC documentary ‘Rio and Kate: Becoming a Step Family’.

It has been a difficult journey to becoming a family and int he programme, Kate said that she writes letters to Rebecca about how they are all progressing.

Kate also spoke about how it has been becoming a stepmother to children who are still coming to terms with the death of their beloved mum.

It has left Kate 'grieving for someone she never knew'.

Former England captain Rio, 42, asked Kate to marry him during a break in Abu Dhabi, some three years after Rebecca's death.

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