When it was revealed that Saoirse Ronan secretly married Jack Lowden earlier this month, many were surprised to hear that the pair were even together in the first place.
Fans expressed their shock that the Irish actress, 30, had been in a six year relationship with her Mary Queen of Scots co-star – and tied the knot this month.
Few can be blamed for their confusion, as the pair kept their romance low-key and scattered little evidence of their relationship across social media.
Saoirse doesn’t have a public online presence, whereas Jack, 34, would occasionally share loved-up snaps with his girlfriend, or promote her latest project on Instagram.
The pair are understood to have been linked since 2018, when they met while playing husband and wife.
Fans expressed their shock that the Irish actress, 30, had been in a six year relationship with her Mary Queen of Scots co-star – and tied the knot this month. Pictured this summer
And while camera shy, the couple have not kept away from gushing about one another, as Jack has previously compared Saoirse’s acting skills to ‘gold’.
‘My first love is actors,’ he told The i last year. ‘And when you’re given a Ferrari like her, it’s all about how you make everything good for the Ferrari to show off.
‘Don’t make a Ferrari do what a Renault Clio does. It’s a dreadful analogy but they’re like gold dust, good actors.
‘When there’s someone like that, you just have to facilitate them and you will get gold. And my God, did we.’
Here, FEMAIL looks at the couple’s relationship – from first meeting to ’till death do them part…
ON-SET ROMANCE AND LOW-KEY BEGINNINGS
The couple first met in 2018 when they costarred in Mary Queen Of Scots – a film focused on monarch’s historic feud with Elizabeth I.
Saoirse played the title role in the film while Jack played Lord Darnley, the Queen’s second husband, known for his salacious sexual nature. They started dating in December 2018.
The couple have kept their relationship close to the chest over the years, even going as far as to deny they were dating.
The couple first met in 2018 when they costarred in Mary Queen Of Scots – a film focused on monarch’s historic feud with Elizabeth I
Saoirse played the title role in the film while Jack played Lord Darnley, the Queen’s second husband, known for his salacious sexual nature. They started dating in December 2018. Both pictured in December 2018
In 2019, a reporter for The Telegraph asked the Little Women actress, ‘Am I allowed to ask if you’re going out with the person that everyone thinks you’re going out with?’
Saoirse said, ‘No,’ putting an end to the discussion.
That same year, Jack refused to answer any questions about their relationship in an interview with ES Magazine.
‘Oh, I’m not going to talk about that. I don’t like talking about that side of life,’ he said.
GLIMPSES OF FLOURISHING ROMANCE
However, Jack has since not shied away from sharing the couple’s relationship on Instagram. Both pictured in December
However, Jack has since not shied away from sharing the couple’s relationship on Instagram.
In 2020, he shared what is understood to be a candid clip of Saoirse driving through the Scottish highlands as he enjoys her company in the passenger seat.
Elsewhere, other snippets of Saoirse’s head look to be visible in photos, as well more obvious images where both can clearly be seen together.
Meanwhile, in 2021, ELLE reports that the duo recreated a scene from Braveheart in what appears to be a now-deleted skit – as they prepared for the Euros game between England and Scotland.
By the following year, they made their first public joint appearance at the Australian Open.
Earlier this summer, the pair were spotted at the Glastonbury Music Festival in England.
The Slow Horses star shared a rare loved-up Instagram photo with his girlfriend. Saoirse and Jack packed on the PDA as they stood arm-in-arm while watching a stage act.
Elsewhere, other snippets of Saoirse’s head look to be visible in photos, as well more obvious images where both can clearly be seen together. Pictured in February
Last year he also opened up about having ‘one of the best actors in the world’ at home in an interview.
He told The i that while it is admittedly odd to have public interest in your love life, the pair are grateful to maintain a level of privacy.
‘I’m not an idiot,’ he said. ‘Her and I don’t find that odd. We’re hugely appreciative of the level of scrutiny we have… We’re treated well but we don’t seek it either.
‘People have got it far worse. It’s also obviously of our own making. Whatever – as long as we’ve got each other, we’re alright with any of that.’
Last year he also opened up about having ‘one of the best actors in the world’ at home in an interview. Both pictured with James McArdle at a 2019 Mary Queen of Scots premiere
In 2022, they made their first public joint appearance at the Australian Open. Both pictured sat together
Remarking on his nice comments of her acting skills, Saoirse also told Harper’s Bazar in September: ‘When a person you respect as much as I do him says that, it means more than anyone else’s opinion.’
The couple have also worked on The Outrun together – an adaptation of journalist Amy Liptrot’s memoir about overcoming alcoholism, which premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival,
The work being helmed by Arcade Pictures, the production company which was helmed by Jack, his friend producer Dominic Norris and Saoirse herself.
However, according to Variety, Saoirse and Jack stepped down from Arcade this year.
A spokesperson told the outlet: ‘Arcade was formed to make ‘The Outrun’ and Dominic will continue to drive that banner’s train.
‘Jack and Saoirse are excited to celebrate the film as it makes its debut and beyond, and will continue looking for more passion projects to develop together in the future.’
SPARKING ENGAGEMENT RUMOURS
The second photo in the collection featured four hands touching the summit – one of which was brandishing an engagement ring
Last summer, Jack sparked engagement rumours when he shared an Instagram carousel after climbing a mountain in Scotland.
The second photo in the collection featured four hands touching the summit – one of which was brandishing an engagement ring.
‘Ben Vrackie, summit 2759ft,’ he wrote. ‘So not classed as a Munro, but a Corbett. Steep, beautiful path, unparalleled views of Perthshire, and the heather starting to put her purple on. Or…her OUT out outfit.’
While his caption didn’t shed any light on the matter, commenters were quick to congratulate couple on what they thought were an announcement.
MARRIED IN INTIMATE CEREMONY
Saoirse secretly married Jack in a Scottish ceremony, as reported by the Irish Independent this weekend.
The marriage, which happened earlier this month, was confirmed by the register of Scottish civil marriages records.
It was reportedly an intimate ceremony involving just a handful of their closest friends and family, at the Edinburgh Registrar’s Office.
