CARING Kate Ferdinand was determined to pay her respects to hubby Rio’s first wife on what would have been her 40th birthday.
The heavily pregnant star put aside her personal discomfort to meet up with tragic Rebecca Ellison’s parents to mark the poignant day.
Kate hugged Rebecca’s folks Lesley and Stephen and spent time with members of her family to pay tribute to the mother of the kids she has taken on as her own.
Snaps showed a touching get-together in Southend, Essex on Saturday evening.
Kate is stepmum to Rio's kids Tia, nine, Tate, 12, and Lorenz, 14 with his late cancer victim wife Rebecca.
A friend of the family said: “Kate was determined to attend the gathering despite being heavily pregnant and not finding it easy.
“Rebecca would have celebrated her 40th birthday and Kate was on hand to mark the occasion.
“It meant everything to Kate that she could show the Ellisons how much she cares by joining in the stroll and meal out.”
In February, viewers of the BBC documentary ‘Rio and Kate: Becoming a Step Family’ were left 'in bits' as they watched Rio’s kids weep at their mother's grave while laying flowers and cards on Mother's Day.
The programme followed Rio and Kate as they looked back on their tough journey to becoming a family unit.
Kate, 29, revealed she writes letters to Rebecca and spoke candidly about her struggles becoming a stepmother to his children as they come to terms with their mother's death.
Kate admitted she feels as though she's 'grieving for someone she never knew'.
Former England and Manchester United legend Rio, 42, popped the question to former Towie star Kate during a break in Abu Dhabi, three years after Rebecca's death.
Rebecca passed away after a battle with breast cancer in 2015 – but previously revealed that she wanted him to be happy.
Speaking in 2017, TV pundit Rio admitted that Rebecca had encouraged him to find love again.
Reality TV star Kate and Rio joyfully revealed in June they're expecting their first child together.
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