Real-Life Celebrity Romance: Kit Harington and Rose Leslie

Kit Harington and Rose Leslie – they came together on the set of the ratings juggernaut Game of Thrones but the resulting fame, though appreciated, remains the least rewarding aspect of that experience.

How Did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie Meet?

“I fell in love in Iceland,” Harington once explained to talk show host Jonathan Ross. “I fell in love with my co-star.” So, according to the actor formerly known as Jon Snow, you can thank – or blame – Game of Thrones.

Or you can thank – or blame – the aurora borealis. “The Northern Lights are magical… it was there that I fell in love. If you’re already attracted to someone, and then they play your love interest in the show, it becomes very easy to fall in love.”

For two seasons, Leslie starred opposite Harington as Ygritte, the fierce Wildling warrior whom Jon tried to tame and whom he lost in a violent skirmish. But while their on-screen romance ended in tragedy, the real-life romance blossoming between the two actors continued – despite the insistent denials.

Off an August 2012 incident in which he and Leslie were photographed holding hands in a London-based restaurant, Harington told a reporter, “We really get on as friends, and we hit it off very quickly when we first met, and I think that reflects on screen, or I hope it does… it’s lovely to have someone that you genuinely count as a friend working opposite.”

And while a conformation was not forthcoming from either party, the tabloids published a number of articles touting the love affair. However, come August 2013, reports of a different nature were surfacing.

According to The Stir, “Rose and Kit are no longer together. Rose has a new boyfriend who is not in the public eye. She is eager to keep this relationship out of the spotlight.”

Making Up – In Secret 
One year later, the couple had reunited at least, according to a source who spoke exclusively to Us Weekly. “They’ve been back on for about three months. That said, it’s casual right now and they’re having fun…”

Harington’s story was just a tad different. “All rumor and myth. Me and Rose are very, very close and very good friends And continue to be… But no, no…” In a separate interview, he flatly claimed to be single.

In April 2016, Harington and Leslie finally went public with their romance by taking to the red carpet at the Olivier Awards hand in hand.

Making It Official
September 2017: Mr. K.C. Harington and Miss R.E. Leslie placed the following announcement in The Times of London: The engagement is announced between Kit, younger son of David and Deborah Harington of Worcestershire, and Rose, middle daughter of Sebastian and Candy Leslie of Aberdeenshire.

The wedding invitations – received by some 200 guests – arrived with a stamp featuring Harington’s Game of Thrones visage. The subsequent ceremony was held on June 23, 2018, inside a Scottish village’s church, Kirkton of Rayne, and the reception took place at the bride’s ancestral home, Wardhill Castle.

Newlywed Bliss – Marred
In November of that same year, Harington was compelled to issue a denial concerning allegations of adultery leveled against him by Russian model and actress Olga Vlaslova. “The allegations in this story are completely false. [Harington] has never even been to Luxembourg nor has he ever met Olga Vlasova.”

Kit Harington and Rose Leslie – Why So Secretive?

Despite – or perhaps, because of – their married status, Harington and Leslie remain just as tight-lipped about their personal life as ever before. They even refuse to take photos together.

Harington claims, “It makes our relationship feel like… puppets. Like we’re a walking show.” He also stated, “I don’t believe in talking about one’s relationship in the press because it’s…I strongly believe it’s her relationship and mine, and anything I say here, she may not want me to say. So I just don’t say it. I genuinely think it’s our private life.”

Keeping things personal can certainly be understandable but in May of 2019, it was revealed that Harington checked in to a luxury rehab facility to deal with stress and alcohol. Leslie has continued to support her husband.