Lily Collins is now officially a mother! The 35-year-old star of Emily in Paris and her husband Charlie McDowell celebrated the arrival of their first child, Tove Jane McDowell, via surrogacy. The joyful announcement was made on Friday through Instagram, where the couple shared heartwarming details about their new family member.
The post featured an adorable photo of the newborn, donned with a matching mauve cap and onesie, and resting on a blanket embroidered with her name, Tove. The couple expressed their sentiments with the caption, "Welcome to the center of our world Tove Jane McDowell. Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way. We love you to the moon and back again…" This moving statement encapsulated their immense gratitude and the special place Tove will hold in their lives.
Collins and McDowell also recently marked their third wedding anniversary, with the actress sharing sweet tributes filled with love and appreciation for her partner. "Happy anniversary to the man who makes me laugh harder than anyone. Three years held in your arms has been the greatest gift," she penned on September 4. Her heartfelt words celebrated not only their love but also hinted at the blossoming family they were so eager to welcome.
Following the announcement, McDowell addressed some negativity surrounding their use of surrogacy. On Instagram, he expressed gratitude for the supportive messages but took time to address the unkind remarks. "Thank you for all the kind messages and love. We are overjoyed and very grateful," he began. McDowell emphasized the importance of being respectful, stating, "It’s ok to not be an expert on surrogacy... especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love..." His comments sought to shed light on the realities of surrogacy, reminding audiences to choose compassion over judgment.
Collins and McDowell began their romance back in August 2019 and went public with their relationship soon after. Their engagement came a year later, and they tied the knot on September 4, 2021, marking their union with devotion evident through Collins’ emotional reflection on their relationship at the time. "I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife. On September 4th, 2021 we officially became each other’s forever," she shared with love.
Both Collins and McDowell are not only known for their impressive careers but also for being part of Hollywood families. Collins is the daughter of Grammy-winning musician Phil Collins, and actress Jill Collins, who operates a shop focused on unique curiosities. McDowell, on the other hand, is the son of actors Mary Steenburgen and Malcolm McDowell, bringing both talent and creativity to their respective fields.
With Collins recently wrapping up her time on the West End performance of Barcelona, the couple's life is now taking another exciting turn with the arrival of their daughter. The new chapter promises to be filled with love, challenges, and unforgettable moments as they navigate the beautiful world of parenthood together.
Through all the joys and hurdles, Collins and McDowell seem ready to tackle parenthood with the same enthusiasm and dedication they bring to their respective careers. With Tove as their anchor, the couple is set to embrace all the love and laughter their new family member will bring. Here’s to their continuing story, filled with warmth, joy, and the adventures of raising their first child!