Kate Ferdinand has reportedly paid a poignant tribute to husband, Rio Ferdinand’s first wife, Rebecca Ellison, on what would have been her 40th birthday.

Rebecca, who had three children; Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, and Tia, nine, with the former footballer, tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in 2015.

To mark the day, Kate, 29, who is pregnant with her first child with Rio, met up with Rebecca’s parents, Lesley and Stephen, and other members of the family to pay tribute to her during a get-together in Southend, Essex on Saturday, ok.co.uk, reports.

A friend of the family said: “Kate was determined to attend the gathering despite being heavily pregnant and not finding it easy.

Rebecca would have celebrated her 40th birthday and Kate was on hand to mark the occasion.

The source added: “It meant everything to Kate that she could show the Ellisons how much she cares by joining in the stroll and meal out.”

Former TOWIE star Kate has previously spoken about celebrating the life of Rebecca, and will regularly visit her grave with the children.

Kate added that she feels as if she was “sent” by Rebecca to be in the life of Rio and his three children.

“’It’s really weird because I feel I was sent by her. At the beginning everyone compared us in an unhealthy way, [but now it’s so different],” she said on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast.

She added that Rebecca’s family found it difficult to deal with her relationship with Rio at first.

“Rebecca’s family were really difficult at the beginning. Obviously, it’s really hard for them to see another woman in the house, in Rebecca’s house especially when I’m in the public eye. But we’ve got a good relationship and we’re building it slowly,” she explained.

Rio’s wife also revealed that she joins the children in writing cards to their late mum during a documentary, Rio and Kate: Becoming a Step-Family, which aired last year.

“Its Mother’s Day and the kids write letters to their mum and their gran which we laminate and take to their graves so they last longer.

“I always write a message from me – after all, I am looking after and bringing up her children with Rio,” Kate said.