Rowling marries in secret

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling married her partner Dr Neil Murray in a secret St Stephen's Day ceremony.

A spokeswoman for the 35-year-old author yesterday said the wedding took place on December 26 at the writer’s new home in Scotland.

In a short statement, publicist Nicky Stonehill said: ‘‘JK Rowling and Neil Murray were married on December 26 at their house in Perthshire. Their immediate family attended the wedding.’’

The spokeswoman could not comment on any of the details regarding the ceremony.

According to the News of the World newspaper, 15 close friends and family were present at Killiechassie House, Aberfeldy, which the author bought two months ago.

The bride wore a stunning cream outfit, especially designed for her, and her eight-year-old daughter Jessica by her first husband was one of three bridesmaids.

The others were Ms Rowling’s sister Dianne, 33, and Dr Murray’s sister Lorna.

The paper reported that plans for the wedding were kept secret by the author, who guards her privacy fiercely.

It was reported that caterers were hired from 50 miles away in Edinburgh and wedding guests were sworn to secrecy.

The minister who conducted the 20-minute ceremony, who was not named, had also been brought in from outside the area, according to the paper.