With modern technology, it seems easier than ever to keep up a long-distance relationship, but the space apart can still be heartbreaking. Despite these notions, there are many fan-favourite celebrity couples that have not only endured long-distance relationships, but credit these periods with strengthening their bonds.
From John Krasinski’s mind-blowing travel schedule to meet up with Emily Blunt, to Anya Taylor-Joy’s positive musings on spending time separately, here are some celebrity couples who kept up relationships while apart and how they beat the long-distance blues.
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Harry spoke about how the pair made long distance work early in their relationship
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
After meeting in London in 2016, Harry and Meghan endured the struggles of long distance when the former actress returned to her Toronto home; the couple have spoken candidly about the struggles of being apart and how they navigated these periods of separation.
“I think we were able to really have so much time just to connect, and we never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other,” Harry revealed to the BBC after the couple’s engagement in 2017. Following their fairytale wedding and brief stint in England, the royal pair have now called California home since 2020.
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John travelled across the pond every weekend while Emily was filming Mary Poppins Returns
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
John Krasinski might not have had a magic umbrella, but that didn’t stop him from flying to London every weekend to visit Emily Blunt while she was filming Mary Poppins Returns in 2018. The actor was simultaneously shooting Jack Ryan in multiple countries including the states, but travelled across the pond every weekend to visit his wife and their two daughters.
“Family for me, it’s a non-negotiable thing,” he told People, with John’s co-star Dina Shihabi adding, “He would wrap at like 5am on a Saturday morning, get on the next flight to London, and then come back Sunday night”.
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Sarah opened up about how long distance can be “enormously beneficial”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
A year away from celebrating their landmark 30-year wedding anniversary, acting duo Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are experts when it comes to coping with time apart. Speaking to Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso in 2018, Sarah opened up about how the longtime couple has looked on the bright side of long distance.
“I know this sounds nuts, but we have lives that allow us to be away and come back together,” she told the podcast, adding that their work lives have almost been “enormously beneficial, because we have so much to share in a way”.
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Ashley revealed that long distance could be “absolutely fabulous” to her
Ashley Graham and Justin Ervin
Supermodel Ashley Graham tied the knot with director Justin Ervin in 2010, but the couple’s busy careers have often kept them on opposite coasts. The runway star told Entertainment Tonight that the couple don’t go more than two weeks without meeting up, but also had a fresh take on the age-old problem of long distance.
“It’s absolutely fabulous. I love it,” she revealed. “We just meet in L.A. or New York. We meet in Paris, Miami. It’s pretty sexy.” Since welcoming three sons, the pair have settled in New Jersey and built their dream home.
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David would drive hours to see Victoria for a few minutes, according to his Netflix documentary
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
In David’s Netflix documentary Beckham (2023), it was revealed the lengths Posh and Becks would go to in order to spend time together at the beginning of their blossoming relationship. Described as “an addict” by former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville, David would reportedly drive over four hours to see Victoria for only a few minutes.
“I didn’t care if it was me driving down to London to see her for seven minutes, I did it,” David revealed. The starry couple later moved into their Hertfordshire mansion – “Beckingham Palace” – shortly before their 1999 wedding.
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Ed and Cherry took a year off their jobs to travel together
Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn
After first meeting as kids, Ed Sheeran reconnected with his now-wife Cherry Seaborn, then a senior manager at Deloitte, in 2015, and Cherry reportedly transferred to the firm’s London office to be closer to Ed. The Shape of You hitmaker later revealed to Zane Lowe in 2017 that he took a year off music to spend more time with Cherry, per Brides.
“We were basically like, ‘Let’s both quit our jobs and let’s have a year of forming a tight bond and a relationship,'” Ed revealed. “So we went traveling and spent every day for a year together.”
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Anya opened up about her long-distance relationship to Vogue
Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae
Though Anya Taylor-Joy and musician Malcolm McRae are experts at keeping their relationship on the down-low – see her ultra-private wedding reveal – the Queen’s Gambit star gushed about her partner to Vogue in 2022, and shared why long distance can be “kind of great” despite being difficult.
“When you’re together you’re really valuing the time that you have. Everyday mundane activities are so full of joy,” she told the publication. “I love going to the petrol station with him and filling up the car and going to get breakfast.”
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Courteney revealed that “trust” is the most important factor to maintaining a long-distance partnership
Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid
Courteney Cox and her long-term partner, Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid, have juggled their busy careers since they began dating in 2013, but remain one of Hollywood’s most secure couples. Courteney opened up about the recipe to their relationship’s success on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2023, after revealing Johnny flew from his home in London to watch her get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“As long as you have trust, then I think it doesn’t matter where you are,” she said, adding that time apart means “you can be yourself and yet be excited when you see each other.”