Hours before announcing their split,Matt JamesandRachael Kirkconnellwere seemingly enjoying a couples' getaway in London.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 16, the former Bachelor, 33,revealed he and his girlfriend of four years had splitin a shocking Instagram post.
He shared a photo of the two meeting on the showin 2020 along with a prayer, writing, “Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord 💔.”
The breakup especially blindsided fans given that James had posted avideowith Kirkconnell, 28, enjoying a meal at a London pizza joint just 12 hours before.
In a voiceover, he said he’d visited the pizza place on his own before and “had to bring” his girlfriend with him “for her to experience some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James attend Sports Illustrated Club SI ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas on November 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ethan Miller - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty
Ethan Miller - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty
It’s possible that James was delayed in sharing the posts, and the trip had concluded earlier, but the timing created further confusion about the nature of their breakup.
Kirkconnell had not posted from the trip to London, but her last Instagrampostwas a love-filled tribute for her boyfriend’s birthday.
Calling James “my best friend, my teammate, my sous chef, the man that has my whole heart,” Kirkconnell shared a compilation of sweet moments of the couple in a video.
“I’m so thankful I get to dance through this life with you. Thank you for your never ending love and support and smooches and snuggles. To many more adventures, happy birthday my pumpkin,” she wrote.
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell.Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram
Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram
After meeting onThe Bachelorin 2020, James gave Kirkconnell his final rose and the couple ended the season dating, but whenphotos of her attending an antebellum plantation-themed partysurfaced online,controversy aroseandthe pair went their separate ways.
Theyrekindled their relationshipafter announcing their split onAfter the Final Roseand, in 2022,James told PEOPLE it “felt like the world was against us” when they got back together.“We were just trying to enjoy each other and grow our relationship without having to deal with people we didn’t even know weighing in,” he said of the “crazy” series of events that followed his season.
This time last year,James told PEOPLE he was “definitely excited for what the future looks like” with Kirkconnellas he discussed his plans to propose.
“We wouldn’t be together if that wasn’t the same goal,” he said when asked about an engagement in the future. “It is going to be something special because Rachael’s very special.”
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James are seen during Tacos and Tequila with Andrew Zimmern and DJ Kim Lee on day one of Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival at Atlantis Paradise Island on March 14, 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas.Alexander Tamargo/Getty
Alexander Tamargo/Getty
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“She’s my best friend. She’s my biggest advocate. There’s nothing that she wouldn’t do for me,” James said of Kirkconnell.
She returned the favor: “You just make everything brighter, for sure. He has a very, very bright personality and he makes me a better person.”
source: people.com
