The marriage between Nicky Hilton Rothschild and James Rothschild has flourished over nearly ten years. The couple exchanged vows at Kensington Palace in London on July 10, 2015, and are proud parents of three children: daughters Lily-Grace Victoria and Theodora “Teddy” Marilyn, along with a son named Chasen.
According to Nicky’s sister, Paris Hilton, the couple exemplifies a perfect match. She shared her sentiments with PEOPLE prior to their wedding in 2015, saying, “They’re best friends. They’re so loyal and they’re so in love. They’re the ultimate couple. They’re like a prince and princess.”
Paris Hilton once described her sister Nicky and James as “the ultimate couple” who are “like a prince and princess.”
Both Nicky and James come from prominent families; James is a descendant of the illustrious Mayer Amschel Rothschild. The couple has established their home base in New York City.
In an October 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Nicky revealed insights from her mother, Kathy Hilton, regarding marriage. She emphasized the importance of enjoying life together, saying, “Never stop having fun, never go to bed angry and just to stop and smell the roses and enjoy every moment.”
James Rothschild comes from a prestigious lineage. Born into the esteemed Rothschild family, known for their banking legacy that began with Mayer Amschel Rothschild in the 1760s, the family has diversified into sectors such as financial services, real estate, agriculture, mining, and winemaking.
Additionally, James boasts heritage from his mother’s side, as she is part of the Guinness family, founders of the renowned beer brand. With roots in the family business, James charted his own course professionally.
He is the founder and managing partner of Tru Arrow Partners, a global growth technology firm focused on family capital, according to his biography on Rockefeller Capital Management.
Raised in London, he initially worked at Rothschild and Co before venturing into real estate investment. After relocating to New York City in 2012, he co-founded West Arrow, an investment and advisory firm that collaborates with family capital and global technology firms.
The initial connection between Nicky and James occurred at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2011, years before their own nuptials. As reported by The New York Times, their chemistry blossomed at this Rome celebration, leading to a private romance that saw them passing their relationship between the U.S. and England.
In August 2014, during a romantic boat ride in Lake Como, Italy, James proposed to Nicky with an Asscher-cut diamond ring, having first sought her parents’ approval by discreetly flying to Los Angeles for their blessing. At that time, Nicky’s representative confirmed, “They are both very happy.”
Their wedding took place at the Orangery in Kensington Palace on July 10, 2015, a venue known for civil ceremonies that dates back to Queen Anne’s time in 1704, when it was established as a garden space for orange trees.
For the occasion, Nicky donned a long-sleeved ivory and silver guipure Valentino Haute Couture gown adorned with crystals, while her sister wore a pastel blue chiffon dress as maid of honor.
Reflecting on her choice of designer, Nicky shared with Harper’s Bazaar in 2015, “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted Valentino to design my wedding dress. Valentino is the definition of timeless elegance; I don’t think there’s another couture house like it.”
An unexpected mishap occurred when Nicky’s vintage lace veil became entangled under a Bentley tire while departing Claridge’s Hotel for the palace. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds celebrated well into the night, only returning to their hotel early Saturday morning. For the afterparty, Nicky changed into a sparkling short dress paired with Christian Louboutin heels.
Nicky and James became parents for the first time on July 8, 2016, welcoming their daughter Lily-Grace Victoria Rothschild. Their family grew again with the birth of their second daughter, Theodora “Teddy” Marilyn Rothschild, on December 20, 2017, named in honor of Nicky’s paternal grandmother, Marilyn June Hawley.
The couple celebrated the arrival of their third child, son Chasen, in July 2022. Nicky announced on Instagram, “We are officially a party of 5! Welcome to the world, sweet boy. Mom, dad, and big sisters could not be more smitten.”
In March 2023, Nicky discussed balancing motherhood with her fashion design career, stressing the importance of setting an example for her children. She remarked, “Balancing my kids with my fashion design business is a never-ending battle.
But it’s important to set the right example for the children from the beginning.” A year later, she revealed that she and James ensure they do not travel for work simultaneously, sharing, “We will not leave the children alone. So we try and divvy up our work trips and make sure that we’re always present.”
The couple chose New York City as their home, which reflects their backgrounds, with Nicky hailing from California and James from London. In a February 2018 conversation with Architectural Digest, they discussed their collaborative effort in designing their penthouse, noting that James led the project.
Nicky mentioned, “James did the vast majority, but I added my little feminine touches, my little accessories.” While James expressed his passion for personal projects, he clarified that he never considered design as a career, stating, “I enjoy it, but I would never do it as a job.”
Their home is filled with family heirlooms and antiques, but Nicky emphasized that it is essential for the space to be child-friendly. She stated, “I grew up in a house full of antiques and fancy fabrics and certain rooms you weren’t allowed to go in. And as a child, I always told myself that I will never have that when I’m grown up; I would have a house where no room is off-limits.”
