Kate Beckinsale reveals she can’t bear to take down Christmas trees as they remind her of late stepdad
Following film director Roy Battersby’s death on 10 January, Kate Beckinsale has told fans she can’t bear to take down her Christmas trees as she decorated them with him before his passing aged 87.
Kate Beckinsale can’t bear to take down her Christmas trees as she decorated them with her late stepdad.
The 50-year-old actress was left devastated when Roy Battersby died aged 87 on 10 January, and on Saturday (20.04.24) marked what would have been his 50th birthday with an emotional post in which she opened up about the impact of her ongoing grief over his passing.
She said on Instagram alongside a set of photos of filmmaker Roy and his last birthday they spent together: “The birthday we didn’t know was your last.
“There will be no FaceTime today. In the middle of my night, watching you open your presents. No one received gifts with more joy.
“I can’t take my Christmas trees down – they were the last Christmas trees I’ll decorate with you in the world.
“This birthday/not birthday, Christmas/not Christmas in April. Oh Roy, Oh God I miss you.”
Kate recently returned home from hospital amid undisclosed health issues.
Her stepdad – who her actress mum Judy Loe, 77, married following the death of Kate’s TV actor dad Richard Beckinsale was killed by a heart attack aged 31 in March 1979 – passed away after a “brief” illness.
In the photos shared by Kate on Saturday, Roy could be seen smiling while out walking by greenhouses.
There was also a snap of him looking over a birthday card at a table while surrounded by cards.
Kate also shared an image of herself on Instagram in what appeared to be her lounge at home – in between a set of huge pink and white decorated Christmas trees.
She also posted a repost of the message: “Due to personal reasons I’ll be screaming.”
Kate announced Roy’s death in a statement on her Instagram Stories in January, saying: “It is with great sorrow that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announces the news of his recent death after a brief period of illness.
“He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2024, in Los Angeles surrounded by family, aged 87.
“Funeral will be held in London, details to follow.”
Kate’s Instagram biography includes a link to people devastated by the death of a pet – and the quote from Khushwant Singh’s novel ‘In the Company of Women’: “A fatherless girl thinks all things possible and nothing safe.”
