Dominic West and Wife Catherine Find Humor in Past Lily James Scandal

Dominic West and Wife Catherine Now Joke About Stressful Affair Rumors

Dominic West and Catherine West. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Horatio's Garden

Dominic West and Catherine FitzGerald have moved past the 2020 scandal when he was caught kissing Lily James.

In a recent interview with London's The Sunday Times, West, 54, shared, "I hesitate to speak on my wife's behalf because it was obviously horrible, particularly for her. But we do joke about it sometimes. Whenever we went out together, the papers would always say we were 'putting on a show of unity.'"

West, 52, expressed, "Even if we’d just been arguing about something as minor as parking the car, it couldn't be further from the truth. So, when we go out, we do suggest, 'Should we go and show unity in London?'"

West and FitzGerald have been married since 2010. However, in October 2020, the Crown star was seen kissing his The Pursuit of Love costar, Lily James, in Rome, leading to speculation of an affair. The photos showed West affectionately stroking James’ hair as they explored the Eternal City on an electric scooter, with West noticeably not wearing his wedding ring.

Shortly after the photos were published, West and FitzGerald confirmed they were still together in a statement. The statement was handwritten and left outside their home in Wiltshire, England. They even kissed for the photographers waiting on their street. The photos were seen as a "show of unity" during the scandal.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, West mentioned that the situation was absurd and stressful for his wife and kids. Despite the challenges, there were also lighter moments that they could cherish.

Dominic West and Wife Catherine Now Joke About Stressful Affair Rumors

Dominic West and Catherine West stand for a photo with their children. Mike Marsland/WireImage

West and FitzGerald have four children together: sons Senan, 15, and Francis, 14, and daughters Dora, 18, and Christabel, 8. West also has an eldest daughter named Martha, 25, with his ex-girlfriend Polly Astor.

During a recent interview, West discussed how his personal experiences influenced his role as King Charles III in The Crown on Netflix. Although he didn't mention his son James, 35, by name, he shared that the situation helped him understand the character better. King Charles III, who is 75 years old, famously had an affair with his now-wife Queen Camilla while he was married to the late Princess Diana.

West reflected on the intense feeling of dread when seeing their name or photo in the newspapers. They described the freezing moment of shock that anyone can relate to. Having experienced a similar situation before, West's approach was likely influenced by that past experience. The feeling of horror is not something that you can ever get used to.

In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, James chose not to address the rumors. "I'm not really comfortable discussing that at the moment," James stated. While there is much to say on the topic, James decided that it was not the right time to address it.

Editor's P/S:

The article sheds light on the complexities of marriage and the resilience of love in the face of adversity. Dominic West and Catherine FitzGerald's ability to navigate the challenges of a public scandal and emerge stronger is a testament to their commitment and mutual respect. West's candid reflections on the absurdity and stress of the situation provide a poignant reminder of the toll that media scrutiny can take on individuals and their families.

West's experience with the scandal also influenced his portrayal of King Charles III in "The Crown," allowing him to