Rafael Nadal to wed childhood sweetheart October 19

All roads will lead to the British-owned fortress La Fortaleza in Majorca Saturday, as 12-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal ties the knot with his long-term partner, Mery Perelló.

The 33-year-old tennis ace’s nuptials to his childhood sweetheart, 31, will be a no expense spared affair complete with a Michelin-starred menu and a guest list boasting retired tennis player Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos I of Spain, who is expected to arrive by helicopter.

The idyllic, and hugely popular wedding venue owned by Conservative party donor Lord Lupton – which is where footballer Gareth Bale tied the knot earlier this year – also saw an enormous marquee go up on Thursday.

Proving to be quite a highly sought out A-list destination, La Fortaleza is also where the acclaimed BBC thriller The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman, was filmed.

The Two-time Wimbledon winner has also roped in popular Majorcan chef Macarena de Castro, who will be whetting the appetite of the star-studded crowd at the reception.

The priest that will marry Rafa and Mery, also known as Xisca, has been named as Tomeu Catala.

Speaking to the island paper Diario de Mallorca earlier this month, Tommy gushed: ‘Every one of the weddings I have been involved in has been special and this one will be the same. I am just going to marry two people who love each other.’

Overlooking the bay of Pollensa in north-east Majorca, La Fortaleza was bought by Lord Lupton in 2011 for £30million, despite the original £75million asking price.

The original fort, which is now Spain’s most expensive property, was built in 1628 to defend Majorca against invaders.

Ahead of Lupton’s purchase, the estate has been transformed and expanded to include seven villas complete with 17 en-suite bedrooms, two swimming pools and a helipad.

Rafa revealed in January that he was engaged to his long-term girlfriend Mery following a 14 year courtship.