James Packer has arrived in Mallorca to attend his niece Francesca Packer's wedding celebrations with her husband, Robert Bates. The couple, who legally married in Australia in May, are reportedly holding a multi-day event in the Spanish town.
Packer, 58, was seen on Tuesday enjoying the Mediterranean Sea on a jet ski, operating near his $200 million superyacht, the Arctic P. He was attired in blue boardshorts and a navy T-shirt, with a white baseball cap and sunglasses. Packer was accompanied by a male companion during the excursion.
Francesca and Bates are celebrating their union with a three-day event that is scheduled to conclude with a full moon ceremony on Wednesday. The festivities are reportedly influenced by Francesca's interest in spirituality and crystals. Guests attending include Francesca's mother Gretel Packer, grandmother Ros, and Packer's fiancée Kylie Lim.
The couple's initial wedding ceremony took place in May at Ellerston, the Packer family's estate in New South Wales, Australia. This private event was attended by 18 guests, including Francesca's mother and father, Nick Barham, and his wife Karen Carwin. Francesca's younger brother Ben and half-brother William were also present.
A significant factor in holding the Australian wedding was the reported mobility issues of Francesca's grandmother, who has undergone multiple hip and knee replacements. Francesca has been in a relationship with Robert Bates, a wellness CEO, since 2022. While the couple did not publicly announce an engagement, Francesca had hinted at it through social media.
Francesca and Bates were first seen together in November 2022 at her 28th birthday party. A family friend, speaking anonymously, expressed support for the couple, stating that Francesca is a smart and intelligent woman who deserves happiness and the freedom to choose her life partner, regardless of her wealth or Bates's past controversies.