Who is Black Doves star Keira Knightley’s husband? Their complete relationship timeline explored

Keira Knightley, famous for her roles in Pride & Prejudice and Black Doves, is praised for her acting talent and elegance. People are also curious about her private life, especially her husband, James Righton, who she has been married to for over 11 years.

Righton is a musician and was a member of the British band Klaxons. He had a successful career as a performer and songwriter. Despite the public interest, Knightley and Righton have managed to keep their relationship fairly private. Their bond is built on mutual respect, humor, and shared beliefs.

Keira Knightley and James Righton's marriage has been a popular topic in Hollywood, and their relationship is still strong as they raise their two daughters. Starting with a fast-paced romance, they had a private wedding in France, and now they are focused on being parents.

Here's a closer look at their love story!

James Righton was in a band and went on to be an acclaimed composer

James Righton is an English musician who achieved fame as a keyboard player and singer for the British indie band Klaxons, part of this new rave music scene in the mid-2000s. With their debut album, Myths of the Near Future, the Klaxons received the 2007 Mercury Prize. Some songs that defined them were "Golden Skans" and "Atlantis to Interzone."

The band broke up in 2015, but Righton moved smoothly into his solo career. His 2020 album The Performer showed how his art was changing, and he released Jim, I’m Still Here in 2022. He has also made a name for himself as a film composer, creating music for many projects and working with artists like ABBA.

Interestingly, Keira Knightley had never heard of Klaxons before meeting Righton.

James told the New York Post in 2017:

“She’d never heard of us. Keira was in America when we were having our moment in the U.K.”

Later, she became a fan. She went to his shows and supported his creative projects. Even with his musical success, Righton often talks about how normal their home life is.

He told Loud and Quiet,

“At the end of the day, I’m just a dad who’s very happy in his family life and who has a job. It’s a weird job—but it’s normal to me now.”

Keira Knightley and James Righton's love story led to a French wedding

Knightley and Righton's love blossomed by accident in 2011 when they met at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend.

As Keira recalled to The Guardian in 2014,

“We were very drunk…He’s the sort of person who will be the brightest light in any room, whereas I’m the one who sits in the corner.”

A year later, in May 2012, the couple got engaged. Righton asked for her hand in a simple way, avoiding big displays, which fits with how they are as a couple.

Their wedding was on May 4, 2013. It took place in a beautiful town in the South of France called Mazan. As only 11 people attended their wedding, Knightley wore a Chanel couture minidress, which she wore to the red carpet again; this showed that Knightley was practical and down to earth.

After the ceremony, Righton effusively chatted with NME,

“It was the greatest day ever, it was fantastic. We’re still high from it.”

The reception party was the best time at Keira Knightley's mom's place. It had love, music, and family.

Keira Knightley and James Righton's family life

Keira Knightley and James Righton have two daughters: Edie, born on May 26, 2015, and Delilah, born on September 13, 2019. The couple wants their children out of the public eye; thus, they greatly value the need for privacy.

Keira Knightley, known to be an open and honest one, once joked to The Telegraph about the problems of breastfeeding, saying,

“If I don’t do it, my b**bs will explode. I mean, quite literally. It’s going everywhere.”

The couple can manage their work and personal lives because they support each other.

As Keira Knightley reported to The Times,

“We really annoy each other. But, f**k, do we laugh.”

James is full of energy, while Keira is more quiet. This makes them a good team. He also shared with Loud and Quiet about wanting to make family life special.