International rugby star Jamie Ritchie has separated from his childhood sweetheart wife, Millie, who has now moved in with one of his closest friends, the Daily Mail can reveal. The former Scotland captain, 29, recently announced he will return to his homeland following the collapse of his marriage to long-time partner Millie, also 29.
Marriage Ends Abruptly Before Move to France
The Ritchies' marriage is understood to have ended suddenly last summer, just days before the couple were due to relocate to the south of France. Ritchie had agreed to leave Edinburgh for a new contract with French side USA Perpignan, and the couple had packed up their townhouse in the city, preparing to send belongings to storage or take them to France. They had also arranged a new home in south-west France, but instead decided to separate.
Just days after the split, Ritchie moved to Perpignan alone, leaving Millie and their family behind in Scotland. Despite a successful first year at his new club, Ritchie recently stunned his bosses by announcing his intention to leave while still under contract for another season, citing 'a really difficult period'. In a video released by Perpignan for fans, he explained: 'It was a really difficult decision to make. The club has been very welcoming, as have the fans, but it's a personal decision I have made to be closer to my kids and my family.' Ritchie is now expected to play for Glasgow Warriors next season.
Childhood Sweethearts
The couple had been together since they were 15, getting engaged while still in their teens and finally marrying in 2021. Before their split, they were very publicly visible as a couple, routinely presenting a united front on social media and posing for pitch-side snaps together. However, after Ritchie's last match with Edinburgh, Millie stopped appearing on his Instagram profile. She also changed her long-time profile picture from a photo with her husband to one without him.
The Ritchies and the other couple are understood to have met several years ago and quickly became close. Millie's new partner is thought to have become a mentor to Ritchie and shared business interests with him. Mrs Ritchie was also involved in a business with her new partner but quit after her husband played his last match with Edinburgh.
Source Comments
A Scottish rugby source said: 'Jamie embraced and enjoyed being a family man from a young age, unlike other young players, who often enjoy partying and getting attention from girls at that stage of their careers. But perhaps it was too much too young.' The Ritchies, the other couple, and Scottish Rugby declined to comment. USA Perpignan was approached for comment.
The Ritchie break-up comes after his former Scotland rugby teammate Stuart Hogg lost his reputation and had to hand back his MBE for his conduct during a marital split. Hogg, 33, was banned from approaching or contacting his estranged wife Gillian for five years after admitting charges of domestic abuse two years ago, and also confessed to tracking her movements and sending disturbing messages.
