Deborah Chan
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews tied the knot in May 2017 at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire, England. Less than 24 hours after the wedding, the newlyweds were spotted at Los Angeles International Airport, en route to their honeymoon destination. So, where did they go?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honeymoon destination | Tetiaroa, an atoll in French Polynesia |
| Resort | The Brando |
| Resort owner | Marlon Brando |
| Resort features | White sandy beaches, plunge pools, outdoor eating spaces, bicycling, snorkelling, diving, paddleboarding, tennis courts, library, spa and wellness centre |
| Resort location | Surrounded by a crystal-blue lagoon |
| Resort distance from LAX | 11-hour flight |
| Resort distance from UK | Two flights |
| Resort price | $2,700 a night with a two-night minimum |
| Other celebrities who stayed at the resort | Former President Obama, Michelle Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Barbara Streisand |
| Other possible honeymoon destination | Scotland, Affric Lodge, the Scottish mansion owned by James' family |
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What You'll Learn
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews' honeymoon in Tetiaroa
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews chose to honeymoon in Tetiaroa, a chain of islands in French Polynesia, near Tahiti. They were spotted at Los Angeles International Airport en route to the tropical destination, where they stayed at the Brando resort, the only hotel on the island. The Brando, named after Marlon Brando, who bought the island in 1967, has played host to celebrities including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Leonardo DiCaprio, and former President Barack Obama.
Pippa and James reportedly spent $3,900 a night to stay in a villa at the exclusive resort, which offers 24-hour-a-day service, and the peace and privacy of a private stretch of beach and swimming pool. The island is also a great place for watersports, including paddleboarding, snorkelling, and deep-sea fishing. Photos posted online show the couple smiling while paddleboarding together, with Pippa wearing a tie-dyed blue string bikini. They were also pictured embracing in the ocean, with Pippa in a pink floral bikini, and walking hand-in-hand on the beach, with Pippa sporting a blue and white patterned sleeveless sundress.
After a week in French Polynesia, the couple continued their honeymoon in Australia, where they checked into the $18,000-a-night penthouse at the Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney. They were also spotted in Darwin, going for a jog. It is unknown how long they spent in Australia, but the surge in media attention made a low-key getaway difficult.
Upon their return to the UK, Pippa and James were expected to spend some time in the Scottish Highlands at Affric Lodge, the Scottish mansion owned by James' family, which sits on a 10,000-acre estate in Glen Affric, about 15 miles from Loch Ness.
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The Brando: the luxurious eco-resort in French Polynesia
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews chose to honeymoon at The Brando, a luxurious eco-resort in French Polynesia. The resort is located on the atoll of Tetiaroa, a remote island 30 miles north of Tahiti. Tetiaroa is composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling blue lagoon. The only way to reach the resort is by taking a short 20-minute flight from Tahiti's Faa’a International Airport in Papeete onboard the resort’s own airline, Air Tetiaroa.
The Brando was constructed in 2014, five years after the death of Marlon Brando, the actor who purchased the island in the 1960s. The resort was built to fulfill his vision of creating an eco-friendly luxury hotel that blended nature, culture, and the authenticity of French Polynesia. The Brando is committed to sustainability and preserving the natural environment, with buildings nestled among the existing landscape and infrastructure installed on only one of the 12 islets to minimize disruption to the marine ecosystem. The resort recycles, harnesses solar energy, and uses cold seawater for cooling.
The Brando offers 36 exclusive straw-roofed villas hidden among the rainforest foliage, providing a secluded and tranquil escape. The resort provides a range of activities, including guided excursions, boat rides, bird tours, water sports, and cultural experiences such as traditional Polynesian dance and music. Guests can also indulge in the resort's spa treatments and dining options, with three restaurants offering Polynesian-inspired dishes, East/West fusion, classic French cuisine, and a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant.
After their stay at The Brando, Pippa and James returned to the UK and spent time in the Scottish Highlands, where James' family owns a mansion in Glen Affric.
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Affric Lodge: the Scottish mansion owned by James' family
Affric Lodge, the Scottish mansion owned by the family of Pippa Middleton's husband James Matthews, is located on the Glen Affric Estate in the Scottish Highlands. The 10,000-acre property, located about 15 miles from Loch Ness, was purchased by Matthews' father, David Matthews, in 2018. It includes the main lodge, which has eight bedrooms, a whisky room, a sitting room, a dining room, and various reading rooms adorned with 19th-century paintings of Highland landscapes by Sir Edwin Landseer. The lodge offers breathtaking views, with large windows framing the epic scenery of the surrounding Highlands.
The Glen Affric Estate combines 19th-century Victorian grandeur with the untamed beauty of the Highland wilderness. The lodge's interiors are inspired by Highland heritage, and guests can savour the finest Scottish cuisine, including local cheeses, venison, and seafood, paired with fine wines from the lodge's cellars. The estate also boasts a spa, featuring a treatment room for massages, facials, and beauty therapies, along with a sauna, hot tub, and a glass-fronted fitness studio overlooking the tranquil loch and surrounding Caledonian Forest.
The estate has a rich history, with notable figures such as the late Queen's grandmother Mary staying at the lodge during the 19th century. David Beckham also filmed an advert for his Haig Club whiskey there in 2014. David Matthews holds the title of Laird of Glen Affric, which will be inherited by James upon his father's death, while Pippa will become Lady Glen Affric.
After their wedding, Pippa and James reportedly chose to honeymoon at the Brando, a resort in French Polynesia, before returning to the UK and spending time at Affric Lodge in the Scottish Highlands.
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The couple's journey: from LAX to Tetiaroa
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews began their honeymoon just a day after their wedding. The couple was spotted at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), from where they took a flight to their honeymoon destination.
Pippa and James chose the breathtakingly beautiful island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia for their honeymoon. Tetiaroa is a two-and-a-half-square-mile necklace of coral islets that surround a crystal-blue lagoon. The newlyweds stayed at The Brando, a luxurious eco-chic resort named after the famed actor Marlon Brando, who purchased the island in the 1960s. The Brando is an upscale, all-inclusive resort that is environmentally conscious and nearly self-sustainable. Each of the 35 timber-walled villas has its own private beach area, outdoor eating space, and a plunge pool, all designed to reflect Polynesian lifestyle and traditions. The villas also offer modern conveniences such as WiFi, a media room, and cosy furnishings.
The Brando offers a range of outdoor activities, including bicycling, snorkelling, diving, and paddleboarding. In addition, the resort boasts two restaurants, a beach bar, a spa, tennis courts, and a library. It is a favourite among celebrities, with former President Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Barbara Streisand having vacationed there.
After their tropical honeymoon, Pippa and James were expected to spend some time in the Scottish Highlands, where James' family owns a mansion in Glen Affric.
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Pippa's wedding: the prelude to her honeymoon
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews tied the knot at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire, England, in a quintessentially British ceremony, followed by a private reception at the bride's parents' home. Less than 24 hours later, the newlyweds were spotted at Los Angeles International Airport, en route to their honeymoon destination.
The couple chose to honeymoon in the Pacific island of Tetiaroa, French Polynesia, staying at The Brando, a luxurious eco-chic resort previously owned by actor Marlon Brando. The resort is renowned for its sustainability, with villas constructed from local, renewable, or recycled materials, and powered by renewable energy sources including solar power and coconut oil. Each of the 35 timber-walled villas has its own private beach area, outdoor eating space, and a plunge pool, all designed to reflect Polynesian lifestyle and traditions.
Pippa and James reportedly chose two very different honeymoon breaks, with the couple also planning to spend time in Scotland, where James' family owns a mansion in Glen Affric, before attending the final match of the French Open.
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Frequently asked questions
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews reportedly went to the Pacific island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia for their honeymoon. They stayed at The Brando, a luxurious eco-chic resort previously owned by Marlon Brando.
Tetiaroa was chosen for its small size and remote location, which made it less of a target for paparazzi and celebrity spotters. The Brando resort is also known for its privacy, modern conveniences, and environmentally conscious design.
After their tropical honeymoon, Pippa and James reportedly spent some time in the Scottish Highlands, where James' family owns a mansion in Glen Affric.
