Kit Harington’s wife is Scottish actress Rose Leslie, best known for playing Ygritte, his character’s fierce love interest on the HBO series Game of Thrones. Their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a genuine real-life romance during filming in Iceland in 2011. The couple married in 2018 and share two children, maintaining a relatively private family life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Who Is Rose Leslie?
Rose Eleanor Arbuthnot-Leslie was born on February 9, 1987, in Aberdeen, Scotland. She comes from a distinguished Scottish aristocratic background as the daughter of Sebastian Arbuthnot-Leslie, the Chieftain of Clan Leslie. Her family has a deep connection to the Scottish landscape, having lived at Lickleyhead Castle for over 500 years. This heritage would later play a significant role in the couple’s wedding celebrations. Leslie pursued her formal acting training at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where she graduated with honors in 2008.
Her professional acting career began with a role in the docudrama Locked Up Abroad in 2008. The following year, she earned her first leading role in the television film New Town, a performance that earned her a Scottish BAFTA Award for Best Acting Performance. She appeared in the acclaimed ITV series Downton Abbey as Gwen Dawson, a role she played from 2010 to 2015. Leslie joined the cast of Game of Thrones in its second season as Ygritte, a wildling warrior from beyond the Wall. She appeared in 17 episodes across seasons two through four, with her character meeting a tragic end in 2014. Following her time on Game of Thrones, Leslie expanded her career with roles in the legal drama The Good Fight as Maia Rindell, the thriller Death on the Nile, and television series including Vigil and The Time Traveler’s Wife.
The Early Days of Their Romance
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie first crossed paths professionally when Leslie joined the cast of Game of Thrones for its second season. At the time, Harington had already established himself as the brooding hero Jon Snow. Their characters’ love story took them to Iceland for filming, and the remote location proved to be an unexpectedly romantic backdrop for their developing relationship. They spent several weeks filming in an abandoned hotel that HBO had rented out for the entire crew. The isolated setting, combined with the breathtaking natural phenomena of the Northern Lights, created what Leslie later described as a beautiful bubble .
Harington has spoken openly about that period as the moment he fell in love. He noted that if you are already attracted to someone and then they play your love interest on screen, it becomes very easy to fall in love . The couple was first spotted together publicly in August 2012, but they remained largely private about their relationship in those early years. They experienced a brief split in 2013 before reconciling in 2014. Harington later revealed that just two months after ending a previous relationship, he returned from the Game of Thrones set and told his flatmate he thought he had met the one .
Making Their Relationship Public
For several years, Harington and Leslie chose to keep their relationship largely out of the public eye. Harington explained his approach by noting that it was as much her relationship as it was his, and he could not speak for both of them . This respectful attitude toward their privacy became a hallmark of their partnership. They made their first official red carpet appearance as a couple at the Olivier Awards in London in April 2016, signaling their readiness to be seen together publicly.
A month later, Harington opened up to Italian Vogue about the significance of those early weeks in Iceland. He described how the beauty of the country and the magical Northern Lights created the perfect setting for falling in love. In June 2017, Harington announced that he had moved in with his best friend, Rose, expressing his happiness and excitement about sharing a home together. He recalled that Leslie quickly began reimagining their living space, including a memorable moment when she decided the kitchen should be moved downstairs .
Engagement and Wedding Details
The couple announced their engagement in September 2017 through a traditional classified advertisement in The Times of London, placed in the “Forthcoming Marriages” section. The announcement formally identified their parents and confirmed their intention to marry. Harington later shared the charming story of his proposal, revealing that he had originally planned an elaborate setup involving fairy lights in the trees. However, the moment felt so right while they were in the countryside under a beautiful night sky with a log fire and red wine that he proposed early .
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie were married on June 23, 2018, at Kirkton of Rayne church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland . The bride wore a flowing ivory gown and veil, while the groom arrived in a morning suit. After the ceremony, the newlyweds were showered with rose petal confetti as they left the church. They departed in a vintage Land Rover decorated with Just Married signs, driving off to their reception. The celebration continued at Wardhill Castle, a 12th-century estate in northeast Scotland that has belonged to Leslie’s family for approximately 800 years . The wedding was attended by several Game of Thrones co-stars, including Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams. Leslie’s father, Sebastian Leslie, expressed his absolute thrill about the wedding .
Family Life and Children
The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in February 2021 . Their second child, a daughter, arrived in July 2023 . The names of their children have not been publicly disclosed. Harington has described his son and daughter as beautiful, kind, and awake to the world. He has spoken about how fatherhood happened at just the right time in his life and expressed that he thinks he is good at being a dad . The actor reflected on the grounding effect his children have had on him, noting that anything dark he had to deal with during the day would disappear the moment he walked through the door and saw them .
Leslie has also been candid about the joys of motherhood in her rare public comments. The couple divides their time between London and a Tudor manor house in East Anglia that they purchased in 2017. Despite their demanding acting careers, both prioritize their family life above the entertainment industry’s red carpets.
A Partnership Through Challenges
Harington has been vocal about his struggles with addiction and depression, particularly during and after his time on Game of Thrones. In a 2021 interview with The Sunday Times, he described reaching a place where he felt like a bad person and a shameful individual, feeling there was no way out. He credited his journey to sobriety with helping him realize that he could change . Throughout these difficult periods, Leslie has been a constant source of support. Harington has acknowledged that she was there through all the hard stuff and has been through some journeys with him.
He described their relationship as very loving and tactile, noting that they make sure to tell each other they love each other. He praised Leslie as the most genuine soul and said he is very, very lucky to have her . Harington also reflected on how important it was that he got sober before having children, recognizing the significance of being present and stable for his family .
Life Today and Future Plans
Both Harington and Leslie continue to work in the entertainment industry while maintaining their commitment to family privacy. Harington has acknowledged that working together again would be an interesting challenge. He has mentioned that they have discussed the possibility, but they often burst out laughing at the idea because it would feel strange to act opposite each other after everything they have shared . Leslie has also spoken about how easy it was to work opposite Harington, describing him as a lovely and funny man and a dear friend.
Harington has reflected on how Game of Thrones gave him more than just a career. He has stated that the show gave him his future family and his life from here on in, and that is the main thing it did for him. Harington has also predicted that his children will probably never want to watch Game of Thrones. He anticipates they will feel deeply uncomfortable watching their parents’ on-screen romance unfold and will likely avoid most of his work, which he finds both amusing and bittersweet.
The couple has built a life defined by mutual respect, privacy, and a grounded approach to fame. Harington has said he feels very grounded and is beating himself up less about things. Leslie has noted that they do not feel famous at all, despite their high-profile careers. Their enduring relationship, born from a shared experience on a fantasy television show, stands as a testament to the genuine connection that formed in that remote Icelandic setting. Their story demonstrates that sometimes the most powerful on-screen romances can become even more meaningful when they continue off-screen.Frequently Asked Questions About Kit Harington’s Wife
Who is Kit Harington’s wife?
Kit Harington’s wife is Scottish actress Rose Leslie, best known for playing Ygritte on the HBO series Game of Thrones. Born on February 9, 1987, in Aberdeen, Scotland, she is also recognized for her roles in Downton Abbey, The Good Fight, and Death on the Nile. She comes from the aristocratic Leslie family and graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art with honors in 2008.
How did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie meet?
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie met in 2011 while filming Game of Thrones together in Iceland. Their characters, Jon Snow and Ygritte, were love interests on the show, and the remote filming location created an intimate atmosphere that helped their real-life romance develop. Harington has described Iceland as beautiful and magical, noting that it was very easy to fall in love with Leslie while working alongside her.
When did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie get married?
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie were married on June 23, 2018, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The ceremony took place at Kirkton of Rayne church, and the reception was held at Wardhill Castle, a 12th-century estate that has belonged to Leslie’s family for approximately 800 years. Their Game of Thrones co-stars, including Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams, attended the wedding.
Do Kit Harington and Rose Leslie have children?
Yes, Kit Harington and Rose Leslie have two children together. They welcomed their first child, a son, in February 2021, and their second child, a daughter, in July 2023. The couple has chosen not to publicly disclose their children’s names, maintaining a high level of privacy regarding their family life. Harington has spoken positively about fatherhood, saying it happened at the right time and that he feels grounded as a parent.
Did Kit Harington and Rose Leslie date before getting married?
Yes, the couple dated on and off for several years before their engagement. They began dating shortly after meeting on the Game of Thrones set in 2011. They experienced a brief split in 2013 but reconciled in 2014. They made their first official red carpet appearance together at the Olivier Awards in London in April 2016 and announced their engagement in September 2017 through a notice in The Times of London.
