MANCHESTER United legend Ryan Giggs has been seen with his lingerie model girlfriend for the first time since the couple’s baby news.
The Sun revealed Giggs, 50, and 36-year-old Zara Charles are expecting a baby later this year.
Giggs, who has two kids from a previous marriage, and mum-of-one Zara are said to be “delighted”.
Friends of the couple said they were excitedly planning for their baby’s arrival later this year.
Last night Giggs and Zara were snapped leaving the launch party for Tender, a new restaurant at the Stock Exchange hotel in Manchester.
The couple looked relaxed as they headed home from the party, which Giggs’s former teammate Gary Neville also attended.
Giggs is already dad to Sheffield United footballer son Zach, 17, plus daughter Libby, 19, from his marriage to Stacey Cooke.
Lingerie model Zara — his partner since 2021 — also has a daughter from a previous marriage.
The delighted couple have told close family, and their exes, about their happy news.
A source said: “Ryan was nervous about what his kids would think but they’ve got to know Zara over the last few years and really like her.
“They’re happy because they know he’s happy – but they’ve joked that he might struggle with the early mornings and lack of sleep.
“Ryan and Zara are thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents again.
“They have a very solid, loving relationship and are building a long-term future together.
“Their life is very simple, they go for walks, they go for coffees and love keeping fit.”
A separate source said Stacey — who divorced Giggs in 2017 after ten years of marriage — has also given her blessing.
She, Giggs and Zara spent Christmas together in December 2022 as a “blended family”, a source confirmed.
They added: “Stacey approves of Zara. Her and Ryan have been through a lot but they have moved on.
“She’s only interested in him being happy, because that makes him a good dad to their kids. There is no animosity.”
In November Giggs celebrated his 50th birthday with a trip to Dubai with Zara.
She surprised him by having red rose petals scattered across their hotel bed.
Zara posted: “Yesterday was my best friend’s Big Birthday. Happy 50th, Ryan.
“So grateful we got to spend it in one of our happy places. I will love you forever.”
The couple live in a £2.1million, seven-bedroom mansion which Giggs bought last year.
Zara supported him through his assault trial after he was charged with attacking his ex-lover Kate Greville and her sister Emma.
He was also charged with controlling coercive behaviour towards PR executive Kate during their three-year relationship.
During the trial, the jury was told how Kate had accused Giggs of cheating on her with several women, including Zara.
In a goodbye letter Kate penned to Giggs, she wrote: “You and Zara were also in a full-on relationship for a year.
“I could go on but I think that’s enough. You got your guy from Harrods to send her shoes, bags, and dresses.”
A jury failed to reach a verdict in August 2022 and Giggs has always denied any wrongdoing.
He made a point of publicly thanking “my girlfriend Zara” for support after the trial.
Giggs faced a retrial but in 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew all charges.
Kate said she did not want to give evidence, citing the toll the first trial had taken on her mental health.
Judge Hilary Manley then told Manchester crown court: “I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of each of the three counts.”
Giggs’s lawyer Chris Daw said at the time: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years.
“He’s been fighting throughout to clear his name and has now been found not guilty of all the charges.
“Going forward would like to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
Giggs stepped down from his job as Wales national team manager in June 2022 ahead of the first trial.
The ex-footballer has since been trying to rebuild his life out of the spotlight.
Last month it emerged he was working again as Salford City’s director of football.
Giggs is co-owner of the League Two club along with his ex-United team-mates Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.
