{"id":761185,"date":"2026-02-13T06:31:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T06:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/761185\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T06:31:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T06:31:40","slug":"from-tom-holland-and-zendaya-to-dua-lipa-and-callum-turner-londons-most-influential-couples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/761185\/","title":{"rendered":"From Tom Holland and Zendaya to Dua Lipa and Callum Turner: London’s most influential couples"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who are the real influencers in 2026? <\/p>\n

We don\u2019t mean the matcha-drinking<\/a> hordes who flaunt their #sponsored lives on Instagram, but the people who are creating culture and informing what we care about. Their powers can be hard or soft, whether it\u2019s shaping the clothes we wear or the way we vote. And as a wise man once said, two is better than one: London is home to some of the most dynamic couples in the world, whose spheres of influence span politics, tech, journalism and the arts.<\/p>\n

From the deep-pocketed and the blue-blooded to those whose currency is cultural cachet, we\u2019ve drawn up a list of the top 25 duos who are setting the agenda in the capital.<\/p>\n

\"Callum<\/p>\n

Callum Turner & Dua Lipa<\/p>\n

Instagram<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not often you find a romantic couple so jointly tipped for 007-related projects. But the tabloids have been awash with rumours over Dua Lipa and Callum Turner\u2019s connections to the Bond franchise recently, with the 30-year-old singer apparently in the running to concoct the next theme song, and her 35-year-old actor beau tipped to be the next Bond<\/a>. Lipa has been the UK\u2019s most-played pop star (across radio, TV and public spaces) for the past two years. Turner, for his part, is becoming one of Britain\u2019s hottest acting exports. His credits include the Fantastic Beasts franchise and Apple TV+\u2019s Masters of the Air.<\/p>\n

Zack Polanski & Richie Bryan<\/p>\n

\"Richie<\/p>\n

Zack Polanski & Richie Bryan<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

Green Party leader Zack Polanski<\/a>, 43, has been nicknamed our Zohran Mamdani. Like the New York Mayor, he has charisma in spades and is a master of zippy social media videos. His political aim to \u201cmake hope normal again\u201d has earned him legions of young supporters, and it\u2019s no wonder he reckons that PM Keir Starmer is afraid of the Greens. Polanski recently celebrated his seven-year anniversary with boyfriend Richie Bryan, who works in palliative care for the NHS. <\/p>\n

Phoebe & Arthur Saatchi Yates<\/p>\n

\"Arthur<\/p>\n

Arthur & Phoebe Saatchi Yates<\/p>\n

Matt Writtle<\/p>\n

London\u2019s hottest art couple founded Saatchi Yates in 2020<\/a> and it has grown into the capital\u2019s buzziest contemporary gallery, with the pair hand-picking the cream of the new artist crop for exhibitions and hosting events with queues around the block \u2014 an unusual sight in Mayfair. Phoebe, daughter of the advertising tycoon and formidable collector Charles Saatchi, can be found floating around in Simone Rocha frocks, while Arthur looks like he walked straight out of a gothic novel.<\/p>\n

Sigrid Rausing & Eric Abraham<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Eric Abraham & Sigrid Rausing<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

While you might not recognise Sigrid Rausing, you will have seen her name engraved atop various gallery and museum doorways across the capital. The 64-year-old Swede has donated millions to the arts and also owns Granta, the publishing house and magazine which has launched the careers of dozens of young British novelists. Her husband, Eric Abraham, 71, is an Academy Award winning film producer.<\/p>\n

Paul Mescal & Gracie Abrams<\/p>\n

\"Paul<\/p>\n

Paul Mescal & Gracie Adams<\/p>\n

Instagram<\/p>\n

Irish heart-throb Paul Mescal, 30, and US popstar Gracie Abrams, 26, may be one of the planet\u2019s hottest couples, but they love nothing more than wandering east London together. Mescal has become one of Hollywood\u2019s most in-demand leading men since his breakthrough in Normal People in 2020. He\u2019s set to play Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes\u2019 four-part Beatles epic. Meanwhile, Abrams, daughter of Star Wars director JJ Abrams, is one of the biggest names in confessional pop.<\/p>\n

Charlie Casely-Hayford & Sophie Ashby<\/p>\n

\"Sophie<\/p>\n

Sophie Ashby & Charlie Casely-Hayford <\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

One of the most stylish couples on the London social scene, Charlie Casely-Hayford, 39, is a menswear designer whose sharply tailored suits are worn by everyone from Paul Mescal to Brian Cox on the red carpet, while Sophie Ashby, 36, is the brains behind Studio Ashby, an interior design practice known for its bold prints and artwork influenced by Ashby\u2019s childhood in South Africa.<\/p>\n

Claudia Winkleman & Kris Thykier<\/p>\n

\"Claudia<\/p>\n

Claudia Winkleman & Kris Thykier<\/p>\n

Getty Images for BFI<\/p>\n

Claudia Winkleman, 54, is the essence of what makes hit TV show The Traitors so good. Few could manage that mix of deadly seriousness and wry asides. Her presenting chops have earned her a coveted Friday night chat show on the BBC from spring. Mr Winkleman, aka Kris Thykier, 54, is also a connoisseur of on-screen lols. He recently co-produced the comedy Is This Thing On? with Bradley Cooper.<\/p>\n

Jackson Boxer & Melissa Thompson<\/p>\n

\"Jackson<\/p>\n

Jackson Boxer & Melissa Thompson<\/p>\n

Dave Benett<\/p>\n

Serial restaurateur Jackson Boxer is a man who can get you to go for dinner at 5pm. So in-demand was the cheeseburger he created as his Notting Hill restaurant Dove that people were booking the earliest tables they could get their hands on in order to get a taste. His partner Melissa Thompson is an effortlessly chic stylist who has worked with everyone from Alistair Mackie to Katy England. <\/p>\n

Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Martin McDonagh<\/p>\n

\"Phoebe<\/p>\n

Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Martin McDonagh<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

Such is the cultural capital of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, 40, that Amazon paid her a reported \u00a316m a year for the exclusive rights to whatever came out of her brain. What they got was a narrated documentary about octopuses. Something is finally coming though: Waller-Bridge has created a new Tomb Raider series. Here\u2019s hoping for a Fleabag-ified Lara Croft. In other news, she has just had a baby with Martin McDonagh, 55, the film-maker behind In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin.<\/p>\n

Felicity Blunt & Stanley Tucci<\/p>\n

\"Felicity<\/p>\n

Stanley Tucci & Felicity Blunt<\/p>\n

AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Sixty-five-year-old Stanley Tucci became a household name as the gimlet-eyed art director in The Devil Wears Prada, though nowadays he\u2019s more likely to be writing about his love of pasta or touring Italy for a documentary. His wife, Felicity Blunt (older sister of Emily), is one of the top literary agents in the capital \u2014 she puts her barrister-trained powers of persuasion to good use for clients like Claire Keegan, Elizabeth Day and Tucci himself.<\/p>\n

Riz Ahmed & Fatima Farheen Mirza<\/p>\n

\"Riz<\/p>\n

Riz Ahmed & Fatima Farheen Mirza<\/p>\n

Kai Sundifu\/Dave Benett\/Getty Im<\/p>\n

British actor Riz Ahmed, 43, first connected with US writer Fatima Farheen Mirza, 34, through a meet-cute straight out of a romcom. While working at a caf\u00e9 in Brooklyn, the pair both reached for the same plug socket, and the rest is history. Wembley-born Ahmed is acclaimed in nearly every project he appears in (or creates: a music video for his album, The Long Goodbye, won an Oscar), while Mirza is a New York Times bestseller novelist, best known for her book A Place for Us.<\/p>\n

Charli XCX & George Daniel<\/p>\n

\"Charli<\/p>\n

Charli XCX & George Daniel<\/p>\n

Getty Images for W Magazine<\/p>\n

Most recently, she produced the soundtrack for Emerald Fennell\u2019s bodice-ripping Wuthering Heights adaptation, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Daniel, meanwhile, is the drummer for British band The 1975, as well as being an established musician and producer in his own right.<\/p>\n

Jeremy King & Lauren Gurvich<\/p>\n

\"Lauren<\/p>\n

Lauren Gurvich King & Jeremy King<\/p>\n

Max Cisotti\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

From The Wolseley, The Delaunay, and Le Caprice to The Park, the reigning King of London\u2019s restaurant scene has been shaping the way we dine out for decades and is now set to reopen the historic Simpson\u2019s in the Strand. Every celebrity imaginable has flocked to Jeremy King\u2019s restaurants over the years, from Kate Moss to Lady Di. He tied the knot with American interiors guru Lauren Gurvich in 2012. <\/p>\n

Leah Williamson & Elle Smith<\/p>\n

\"Leah<\/p>\n

Leah Williamson & Elle Smith<\/p>\n

Instagram @officialellesmith<\/p>\n

As captain of the Lionesses, 28-year-old Leah Williamson has brought home two Euros wins for England. She may be described as clear-headed and consistent, but Williamson knows how to have fun, too: she says she recalls more of the after-party for the Lionesses\u2019 2022 victory than the 90 minutes on the pitch. Williamson\u2019s girlfriend, American model Elle Smith, is a former Miss USA.<\/p>\n

Rose Uniacke & David Heyman<\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

David Heyman & Rose Uniacke<\/p>\n

Alan Chapman\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

There are many celebrities who would not make a single aesthetic change to their home without seeking the wisdom of interior designer and bellwether of quiet luxury, Rose Uniacke. Her high profile clients include Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender, Jo Malone and the Beckhams. She designed the opulent flagship Victoria Beckham store on Dover Street. Her husband David Heyman, 64, produced all eight Harry Potter films and the Paddington series. It doesn\u2019t get bigger than that. <\/p>\n

\"Idris<\/p>\n

Sir Idris & Lady Elba<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n

Not only is he one of Britain\u2019s most beloved actors, but Sir Idris Elba, 53, was recently knighted for his campaign against knife crime<\/a>. For some time, he was considered the country\u2019s most eligible bachelor. Then, in 2017, he ran into Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre, 36, at a jazz bar in Vancouver. It was love \u201cat first sight\u201d, according to the actor. The couple are now married, and both serve as goodwill ambassadors for the United Nations, working for the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The Golden Globe-winning actor also doubles as a DJ, having played everywhere from Ibiza to Glastonbury.<\/p>\n

The Prince & Princess of Wales<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Prince & Princess of Wales<\/p>\n

POOL\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The royal family\u2019s motto of \u201cnever complain, never explain\u201d has been put to the test recently by the misdemeanours of a certain title-stripped family member. Yet through it all, 43-year-old Prince William and Kate Middleton, 44, remain popular with the public and a model of consistency. The Princess\u2019 smile-through-it-all stoicism has landed her in the hotseat next to Donald Trump at state banquets<\/a>, while Prince William was recently in Saudi Arabia on the Government\u2019s request as a diplomatic envoy.<\/p>\n

\"Tom<\/p>\n

Tom Holland & Zendaya<\/p>\n

Demano\/BFA.com\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

He\u2019s Spider-Man, she\u2019s one of Hollywood\u2019s hottest actors, and both are starring in what looks set to be the biggest blockbuster of 2026, Christopher Nolan\u2019s The Odyssey. On the awards shelf at their modest \u00a33m Richmond home, they have one Bafta, two Emmys, a Golden Globe and more Teen Choice Awards than anyone would know what to do with. Holland\u2019s films as a lead actor have grossed over \u00a37.2\u2009billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing film actors of all time. The 29-year-old actor also has his own alcohol-free beer brand, Bero, while Zendaya, also 29, is a prominent brand ambassador for the likes of On and Louis Vuitton.<\/p>\n

FKA twigs & Jordan Hemingway<\/p>\n

\"FKA<\/p>\n

FKA twigs & Jordan Hemingway<\/p>\n

Getty Images for Sotheby’s<\/p>\n

It\u2019s rare these days for an artist to have a publicly known muse. Thankfully, Jordan Hemingway and FKA twigs are breaking the mould. The 33-year-old photographer-director and 38-year-old musician and dancer have collaborated extensively over the past year, with Hemingway directing many of the boundary-breaking videos for twigs\u2019s Grammy-winning album Eusexua. New Jersey-born Hemingway is a favourite of fashion brands, having shot campaigns for Prada and Valentino. On top of her music, Twigs is also a highly-skilled dancer and physical performer, having trained in ballet, tap, salsa, pole dancing, swordsmanship and modern dance.<\/p>\n

\"Sir<\/p>\n

Sir Lloyd & Lady Dorfman<\/p>\n

Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Dorfmans are a philanthropic force to be reckoned with. They have given millions to the Royal Opera House, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The National Theatre, which has an auditorium named in their honour. For 73-year-old Sir Lloyd, giving away his fortune is something of a hobby. \u201cI don\u2019t play golf, I\u2019m not into horse racing, I don\u2019t want to own a football team. This is what I enjoy doing,\u201d he has said. Dorfman\u2019s wealth comes from the currency exchange giant Travelex, which he founded in 1976.<\/p>\n

Alexa Chung & Tom Sturridge<\/p>\n

\"Alexa<\/p>\n

Alexa Chung & Tom Sturridge<\/p>\n

Getty Images for Vogue<\/p>\n

Model and arbiter of taste Alexa Chung, 42, has been dating Tony-nominated actor Tom Sturridge (known for on-screen performances in The Sandman and The Boat That Rocked) since 2022, and the couple are rumoured to have married in secret last year. They\u2019re the reigning king and queen of London street style, without a doubt. Although the most powerful person in this relationship may be the daughter Sturridge shares with Sienna Miller, Marlowe, who now has the best possible family circle for hand-me-downs in human existence.<\/p>\n

Phoebe Philo & Max Wigram<\/p>\n

\"Phoebe<\/p>\n

Phoebe Philo & Max Wigram<\/p>\n

WireImage<\/p>\n

She dresses the one per cent in butter leather jackets and big sunglasses out of her west London studio; he is the Old Etonian former art gallerist you\u2019ll now find down the pub, specifically Somerset\u2019s The Three Horseshoes, which he co-owns with chef Margot Henderson. Philo, 52, is the woman behind \u201cquiet luxury\u201d and has a dedicated cult of Philophiles who have looked to her for what to wear since her era-defining tenure at the top of the Parisian house C\u00e9line. The pair\u2019s eldest child is daughter Maya Wigram, who has modelled for Burberry.<\/p>\n

Jay Jopling & Hikari Yokoyama<\/p>\n

\"Hikari<\/p>\n

Hikari Yokoyama & Jay Jopling<\/p>\n

Dave Benett<\/p>\n

As the founder of the White Cube gallery in 1993, 62-year-old Jay Jopling powered the rise of the YBAs in the 1990s \u2014 and helped define the commercial gallery model that shaped London\u2019s global art standing. These days you\u2019ll find him hopping everywhere from Art Basel to Frieze. His wife (he was previously married to Sam Taylor-Johnson), Tokyo-born Hikari Yokoyama, is the creative mind behind Naum House, a design studio specialising in flowers, interiors, curation and design.<\/p>\n

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas & John Micklethwait<\/p>\n

\"Dame<\/p>\n

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and John Micklethwait <\/p>\n

Dave Benett\/Getty Images for Nat<\/p>\n

A true English star of screen and stage and, as of last year, film director, Gosford Park and Slow Horses actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas married journalist and Bloomberg News editor-in-chief John Micklethwait in an intimate ceremony held in Rutland in September 2024 after a five-year relationship. Together they occupy overlapping circles where culture, journalism and power intersect, with a little black book of contacts to rival most.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Who are the real influencers in 2026? We don\u2019t mean the matcha-drinking hordes who flaunt their #sponsored lives…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":761186,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[7757],"tags":[748,4080,63304,393,4884,257,16,15],"class_list":["post-761185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-london","tag-britain","tag-celebrities","tag-couples","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-london","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116061923244973032","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/761185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=761185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/761185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/761186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=761185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=761185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=761185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}