England’s first-choice goalkeeper, Mary Earps, made a personal revelation that quickly spread across social media. The 33-year-old, who has become a household name after England’s Euro 2022 triumph and the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, posted a heartfelt Instagram update confirming that she and her partner, Kitty Forrest, had welcomed a baby boy on 5 November. The announcement arrived with an emotional video montage that traced the couple’s concealed pregnancy, a gender-reveal moment, and finally the newborn’s arrival.
Announcement and intimate video
Earps’ caption began with a note of disbelief: “I can’t quite believe I’m writing this, but yesterday Kitty and I welcomed our beautiful baby boy into the world!” She admitted to keeping the development a secret, saying, “I’ve been keeping a little secret from you all and I don’t think I can talk my way out of this one so I better show you.” The accompanying clip featured short snippets from early pregnancy scans, a joyful reveal of the baby’s gender, and a short, trembling voice-over from Earps describing the moment as a “major shift” in her life. She added, “Coming back home has been the start of a new chapter, but in more ways than one,” underscoring how the birth reshaped her daily routine.
Balancing the pitch and parenthood
Beyond the joyous news, Earps reflected on the practical reality of merging an elite sport career with full-time motherhood. In her written message she called the experience “absolutely over the moon” and described the journey to this point as “such an emotional journey getting to this point.” She went on to say she is now “already a full-time footballer, and now a full-time mum too,” hinting at the challenges and rewards of navigating life in football, motherhood and everything in between. The goalkeeper’s candidness about the balancing act resonated with many fans who have followed her rise from club stalwart to international star.
Support from the Lionesses and broader legacy
Within minutes, a flood of congratulatory messages lit up the comments section. Former England teammates such as Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood and Ella Toone each posted brief notes of support, with Kelly simply writing, “Congratulations to you both.” The collective response highlighted how Earps has become one of the most high-profile figures of the modern Lionesses era, a status cemented by back-to-back FIFA recognitions as The Best Women’s Goalkeeper in 2022 and 2023, as well as the Golden Glove award at the 2023 World Cup.
Earps’ openness about her personal life extends beyond motherhood. In October 2025, she publicly discussed being in a same-sex relationship ahead of the release of her memoir, stating she “feels ready and happy to share” that aspect of her identity. The baby announcement, therefore, not only adds a new chapter to her family story but also reinforces her role as a trailblazer for inclusivity and visibility in women’s sport.
