Harris’ ex-wife to wed former Tory minister

ACTOR Richard Harris gave his blessing for his ex-wife to re-kindle her romance with former Tory minister Jonathan Aitken, it was revealed yesterday.

Aitken who announced on Saturday that he is to marry Elizabeth Harris has described how he visited the celebrity in hospital before his death in October and they struck up a bond.

The shamed former politician was sentenced to 18 months in jail for perjury three years ago and will wed his fiancee whose previous husbands include actor Sir Rex Harrison and Aitken's cousin Peter Aitken in England during the summer.

The couple, both in their early 60s, began a relationship nine months ago after rekindling an old romance.

Aitken said: "I became very fond of Richard before he died. He gave our romance a full and enthusiastic blessing.

"The one thing we know, he was very very positive about it and told his sons.

Asked if the relationship was better second time around, Aitken replied: "I don't know it just feels wonderful." He added that he had no plans to get married after divorcing Lolicia, his wife of 19 years, but it all started when he was reunited with Elizabeth, the daughter of Irish peer Lord Ogmore who runs a public relations company.

"I made the proposal at Elizabeth's flat because the restaurant we were in was so noisy," Aitken said.

"We were at Annabels (nightclub) and I planned to do it there but the table was practically on the dance floor and we couldn't hear ourselves think.

"We waited until Christmas night to tell our families and we remembered in a toast Elizabeth's first husband who died a few months ago."

Elizabeth, who had three sons with Hollywood actor Harris, remained friends with the film star after their divorce in 1968.

She said: "Receiving the proposal wasn't really a surprise. I had an inkling but it was still fabulous.

"Jonathan has given me a beautiful square diamond and aquamarine ring."