Paul and His Lady Get Heard
Helicopters are hovering, TV editing vans are squatting and satellite trucks are waiting. All this is happening just to get a glimpse or a word. Sir Paul McCartney is getting divorced and all the attention is due to the hearing. The camera crews and photographers are milling around the Royal Court of Justice. London is quite accustomed to high-profile personalities. The personalities themselves are trying to avoid as much of the attention as possible. At least, this is the impression many have given. But it is also common for celebs with an ulterior motive to court the media.
It is thought that Paul McCartney’s personal wealth is around £825 million. His estranged wife Heather Mills is believed to be getting a settlement in the region of £50 million to £100 million. They have both agreed that the settlement figure will remain private. This is quite different to the very public battle that has enthralled fans and foes alike. It is likely that the Court will take into account the shortness of the marriage. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills were married for four years. The fact that the two have a child will greatly influence the divorce settlement.
Heather Mills was the first to arrive at the Court. She was concealed in a sombre car behind tinted windows. The car stopped inside a courtyard just out of the reach of the paparazzi. This is the same spot where Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones had their hearing. In that instance, the couple united against the tabloids. Their gripe was about wedding pics that were printed without permission. Ms Mills made her way inside to wait behind closed doors, blackened windows and signs designed to ensure privacy.
The McCartney and Mills hearing is a family hearing. An expert in family law has stated that the estranged couple is doing everything possible to make certain their child is properly provided for. This would include taking into account that there should be no great difference in the lifestyle of the parents. The Court would look at this from the point of view of the child. Sir Paul McCartney and former model Heather Mills have a four year old daughter named Beatrice.
The media did take note that during the course of the day a projector and screen was taken inside. This occurred when McCartney had his lunch break. It is believed the items were to be used to prove that Heather is being unduly harassed by the paparazzi. This in turn may get her a divorce settlement that includes personal security. Sir Paul on the other hand appeared calm and collected as he greeted the media present and wished them a good morning. However, he also told them ‘no comment’.
The Court is no doubt very accomplished at hearings involving millions of pounds. But the main aim of the hearing is to award a fair settlement. A family hearing has the sole purpose of protecting the rights of the parents as well as the child. In this case, it is a little girl who can only trust her parents’ judgment.
