Declan Rice, the Arsenal and England midfielder, has been in a long-term relationship with his childhood sweetheart Lauren Fryer since they were both 17 years old. They met in 2015 while attending school together in Kingston-Upon-Thames, and their relationship has stood the test of time, surviving the pressures of Rice’s rising football career.
Lauren, now 25, has been a constant presence in Declan’s life, supporting him from the stands during his matches for West Ham, Arsenal, and the England national team. Despite their high-profile status, the couple prefers to keep their relationship private, rarely sharing details publicly. However, glimpses of their life together have surfaced over the years, painting a picture of a devoted partnership built on years of shared history.
Declan Rice and Girlfriend Lauren Fryer Are Not Yet Married, but Do They Have Kids?
In August 2022, Declan and Lauren welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, born on the 7th of that month. The news was subtly confirmed when Declan debuted a tattoo on his arm featuring Jude’s name, birth date, and the Leo zodiac symbol, reflecting their son’s star sign. The couple had kept Lauren’s pregnancy under wraps, making the tattoo reveal a quiet but heartfelt announcement.
Jude has since become a regular at his dad’s games, often seen in the stands with Lauren, who balances motherhood with supporting Declan’s career. The family splits their time between their home in London, where Declan plays for Arsenal, and their property in Kingston-Upon-Thames, the area where they both grew up.
Lauren, though not as publicly visible as some other WAGs (wives and girlfriends of footballers), has faced intense scrutiny and cruel trolling online. In April 2024, she made the decision to delete all posts from her Instagram account, which had amassed over 70,000 followers, after enduring months of abusive comments about her appearance. Trolls targeted her with vile remarks, suggesting Declan “could do better,” and even going as far as to say he had “low standards” for being with her.
The bullying reached a point where Lauren chose to step away from social media entirely, despite support from fans and even fellow WAGs like Dani Dyer and reality star Liberty Poole, who publicly defended her. Liberty called out the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by social media, praising Lauren’s natural beauty and condemning the trolls.
Despite the negativity, Declan has remained fiercely loyal to Lauren. In a rare public display of affection, he once referred to her as the “love of my life” and made it clear he had no interest in the toxic commentary surrounding their relationship. The couple’s bond has only grown stronger over the years, with Lauren standing by Declan through his record-breaking £105 million transfer from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023 and his pivotal role in England’s Euro 2024 campaign. Their relationship is filled with small, meaningful moments, including Declan gifting Lauren a Cockapoo named Raffa for Christmas, a pet that quickly became a beloved part of their family.
The pair have enjoyed romantic getaways and adventures together, from private jet trips to city breaks in New York and festivals like Glastonbury and Reading, where they were spotted rubbing shoulders with Oasis legend Liam Gallagher in 2021. These moments, though rare, show a couple who prioritize their happiness away from the spotlight. Lauren’s role as a stay-at-home mum to Jude allows her to focus on their family while Declan thrives on the pitch. Though they are not married and there’s no public engagement as of mid-2024, their eight-year relationship speaks volumes about their commitment.
