Moss/Doherty 'wedding' has no legal footing at home

Kate Moss and Pete Doherty are reported to have “married” during an exotic New Year break in Thailand.

The supermodel and pop star are believed to have made a formal commitment to each other in a private beach ceremony.

The couple were photographed celebrating with champagne at a villa overlooking a beach on the island of Phuket.

Moss was pictured barefoot in a silver dress, while Doherty wore a black suit and his trademark matching trilby hat.

But spokesmen for Moss and Doherty were unable to confirm today whether a service took place.

Wedding services including Buddhist prayers, the pouring of blessed water and entwining of flower garlands are popular among visitors to the romantic Thai island.

But such ceremonies are not legally binding and British participants must still undertake a civil service in the UK.

A friend of Moss told the Daily Mirror: “This was not likely to be a formal wedding because Kate would have wanted all her family and friends to be there.

“It is much more likely to be a symbolic gesture to show everyone just how serious they are about each other.

“But to be honest, nothing that Kate and Pete do surprises me any more so there is every chance it could be on a more serious footing.”

The ceremony was reported to have taken place at the Hotel Amanpuri, but an employee said only friends of the couple stayed there.

She said Moss and Doherty stayed at the nearby Trisara Hotel, where a service took place.

A spokeswoman for the hotel, which describes itself as “Thailand’s most intimate and exclusive resort”, refused to comment.

Before the ceremony, Moss and Doherty attended a party thrown by tycoon socialite David Tang.

The Duchess of York and her daughters Beatrice, 18, and Eugenie, 16, were also reported to have been staying on the island.

Moss, 32, and Doherty, 27, are tipped to tie the knot on January 18, and have asked friends to keep the date free, The Sun reported.

Their rocky on-off relationship has been well documented since they met at Moss’ 31st birthday party at her home in Primrose Hill, north London.

Speculation over their wedding has been rife since the couple revealed their engagement in October.

Doherty, frontman of pop group Babyshambles, is serving a two-year supervision order for drug offences.

Meanwhile Moss’ modelling career has flourished despite being photographed allegedly taking cocaine in a music studio.