Sun, sand and seclusion: James Matthews and Pippa Middleton’s first trip as Mr. and Mrs. was the stuff of every honeymooning couple’s dreams. The billionaire financier and his bride headed to the private island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia after their spectacular May 20 wedding (which featured several heirs to the British crown) — and friends tell OK! they took full advantage of all the tropical getaway had to offer. The blissed-out couple had their own luxurious villa and white-sand beach at the Brando resort (see sidebar), and “after so much build-up to the wedding, Pippa was thrilled to just relax with James,” says an insider. “She brought along a good beach read, but she barely turned a page because they were having so much fun!”
an island idyll
Of course, renowned athlete Pippa has a different definition of “relax” than most. When they weren’t sunbathing or enjoying their honeymoon suite, Pippa, 33, and James,
41, went snorkeling and paddleboarding in the crystalline, blue-green sea and took scenic bike rides — followed by soothing massages at the resort’s spa, thank goodness. Tetiaroa, once a retreat for Tahitian royalty, remains a haven of natural beauty and biodiversity, so there was plenty to see and enjoy. “It was a true escape and a real change of pace for Pippa,” says the insider. “She even traded in her usual intense workouts for some tai chi. It was everything she expected and more.”
Pippa and James followed up their week in paradise with a stopover in Sydney, Australia. After reportedly doing a dawn 5K run around Sydney Harbour (so much for lounging about!), they took a seaplane tour with friends and then had a long lunch at the famous Cottage Point Inn restaurant.
But it was their time on Tetiaroa they’ll never forget. “They want to make it an annual tradition,” the insider says. Next year, perhaps a babymoon?
