DONALD Trump Jr. has officially married socialite fiancée Bettina Anderson days before the couple was set to enjoy an intimate island ceremony in the Bahamas.
The loved-up couple are still expected to celebrate in a small Memorial Day weekend ceremony in front of family and friends on a private island after quietly wedding on Thursday.
Real estate lawyer and Trump family friend Brad McPherson officiated the Palm Beach union, according to TMZ who published the marriage certificate on Friday.
It comes just hours after Trump Sr. confirmed he would remain at the White House for the weekend and not head to the Bahamas.
“While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr, and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so,” he wrote in a statement.
“I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!”
Trump Jr. popped the question to Anderson, 39, on her birthday trip to Camp David, a 125-acre country retreat for the President, on December 13 after two years of dating.
Their romance blossomed in 2024 just as his engagement to ex-Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle fell apart.
“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with Bettina,” the 48-year-old reportedly said during a toast at Anderson’s Enchanted Garden-themed Mar-a-Lago bridal shower in April.
“She is smart, loving and caring.”
The exotic setting for the pair’s nuptials was a last-minute change, Page Six reported, after original plans to hold it at the White House were considered insensitive.
“They’re very aware that a lavish wedding at the White House while people are dying wouldn’t be well-received,” an insider told the news outlet.
Earlier this week, President Trump said that while he is one of the less than 50 people invited to the wedding, he could not confirm his attendance.
“He’d like me to go, but it’s going to be just a small little private affair, and I’m going to try and make it,” Trump told reporters.
“This is not good timing for me,” he added. “I have a thing called Iran and other things.”
Among the guests thought to have attended the ceremony are Ivanka Trump, Lara Trump, Tiffany Trump, and President Trump‘s ex-wife Marla Maples, all of whom previously attended the bridal shower.
Trump Jr.’s five teenage children with ex-wife Vanessa are also likely to have been in attendance as well as his brothers, Eric and Barron Trump.
However, the couple’s wedding comes at a painful time for the family, with Vanessa Trump, 48, revealing just days ago that she is dealing with breast cancer and has already had a procedure.
It is unclear whether Vanessa was invited to the wedding or if she attended given her recent diagnosis.
Vanessa and Trump Jr. were married from 2005 until 2018 and she has now moved on having found love with troubled golfer, Tiger Woods.
Meanwhile, this is Anderson’s first marriage but he was previously engaged to chewing gum heir Beau Wrigley.
“We’re all so excited for Don and Bettina as they start this new chapter together,” Ivanka Trump told Page Six, on behalf of the whole family.
“I’m incredibly happy for both of them,” Eric Trump added.
“Don and I have always been inseparable and I have a wonderful relationship and friendship with Bettina. They are fantastic together.”
On Friday, Bettina marked her birthday with an ultra-luxury dinner complete with a bottle of rare champagne worth around $1,300.
Sharing a glimpse of the indulgent evening on social media, she posted a photo of a waiter pouring the pricey bubbly alongside the caption, “S is for Spoiled.”
She also appeared to hint at her big day coming up, writing, “How sweet it is to be loved by you” while adding a James Taylor track to the post.
She then added a cryptic message, “IYKYK” — internet shorthand for “if you know, you know.”
Don Jr. also reportedly leaned into the romance, giving her a card that read: “I think you’re perfect.”
She also received a jaw-dropping diamond necklace: a 19-inch Y-shaped design crafted in 18-carat white gold and featuring more than 100 diamonds, said to be worth six figures.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16391050/donald-trump-jr-marries-bettina-anderson-wedding/