An argument has erupted after Gareth Bale’s rogue father-in-law published a photograph of the footballer’s new baby – despite being told to keep it private.
Despite the tense relationship with his daughter Emma and Bale, international fraudster Martin Rhys-Jones, 53, was invited to a party they were having in Cardiff.
The couple allowed the new grandfather to take a picture with their new newborn Axel Charles, but told him the picture must be kept private and not put on social media.
However, Rhys-Jones ignored the request and posted the image on a Twitter page promoting his book.
The defiant act has sparked a fresh row between the couple and Rhys-Jones, who is already uninvited to their wedding.
Martin Rhys-Jones (left) poses with his future son-in-law Gareth Bale (right) while he cradles the Bale’s new son Axel Charles (left). He was told not to post the picture online, but ended up publishing it on Twitter
Footballer Gareth Bale and girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones (pictured left) reportedly went ballistic when they found out Martin Rhys-Jones (pictured right with his daughter) had posted the image
A relative of the Real Madrid star and his bride-to-be Emma said: ‘Gareth went ballistic when he saw the photo.
‘The couple are very private about anything to do with their children but Martin doesn’t give a hoot.
‘It’s created an even bigger rift between them.’
The Wales captain had invited his father-in-law to be to the party at Elevens, the bar he owns in the Welsh capital.
It was Bale’s chance to show off the little boy he has always dreamed of.
Little Axel Charles, born in May, was passed around doting relatives, who were all told not to post pictures on social media.
Little Axel Charles, born in May, was passed around doting relatives, who were all told not to post pictures on social media. Pictured: Bale announcing the birth of his son
Queues of people outside Elevens Bar in Cardiff, Wales. Bale spent a night at his bar earlier this year and met a number of his fans
Father-of-five Rhys-Jones broke the agreement and wrote under the picture: ‘My new grandson and his dad at Elevens Bar – freedom tastes almost as good as the food here!’
The Bale’s relative said: ‘Martin seems determined to upset them by ignoring their requests for privacy.
‘Gareth and Emma have asked him to take the picture down but it’s still there for all to see.’
Rhys-Jones posting the photo of his grandson is the latest family tiff for the couple.
In late July, Bale and Emma called off their wedding, blaming ‘family turmoil’.
They had reportedly planned a star-studded ceremony in a historic castle in Tuscany, Italy, and wanted Beyonce as their wedding singer.
But the pair put off their big day until next summer after a ‘roller coaster’ year of joy and heartbreak.
In late July, Bale and Emma called off their wedding, blaming ‘family turmoil’
Father-of-five Rhys-Jones served six years for a £2million international fraud ripping off investors worldwide
Former hairdresser Emma, hoped the extra time would give her chance to heal a rift with Rhys-Jones.
Father-of-five Rhys-Jones served six years for a £2million international fraud ripping off investors worldwide.
Rhys-Jones pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering over the scam in which he and his associates sold worthless stocks at grossly inflated prices for three years.
Addressing the court at the time Rhys-Jones spoke of his ‘deep regret’ for his crimes and that he was ‘truly sorry’ for the financial loss incurred by his victims.
He missed the birth of three grandchildren including Emma’s two daughters by Bale, Alba Violet, five, and Nava Valentina, two.
Emma fell out further with her father after he moved in with a Russian florist half his age within weeks of being freed from jail in the US.
During wedding planning Emma was told her sister’s partner Alexander Williams (left with his partner and Emma’s sister Katie) had been found dead
Cars belonging to the grandparents and aunt of Emma were torched in 2016 while petrol was poured through another aunt’s home in north Wales (pictured)
The couple uninvited him from their wedding along with other family members who were involved in a missing suitcase containing £750,000 of drug money.
Cars belonging to the grandparents and aunt of Emma were torched in 2016 while petrol was poured through another aunt’s home in north Wales.
It was understood to be part of a feud with a drugs gang after Emma’s cousin Epiphany Dring – a former glamour model – disappeared allegedly carrying a suitcase full of cash, plus drugs and watches believed to make the full contents worth around £1million.
A family source said: ‘It’s been a rollercoaster for them over the last couple of years – especially Emma because it’s her flesh and blood.
‘Some of her closest relatives were told they would not be going to the wedding. But a lot can happen in a year and we all hope that everyone has kissed and made up by then.’
During wedding planning Emma also received the horrible news that her sister’s partner Alexander Williams had been found dead.
Bale’s brother-in-law killed himself while being investigated by social services over his children, an inquest was told earlier this year.