Darts legend Raymond van Barneveld is renowned for his accuracy on the board, having clinched an impressive five World Championships titles. But his biggest victory might just be off the board, as he found love with his British wife Julia (nee Evans).
A Chance Encounter
Julia Evans, a stunning British beauty, officially started dating Raymond van Barneveld in April 2019. Their romance was first revealed when they were caught sharing a kiss in a hotel in February of that year. The couple quickly became inseparable, with Julia envisioning a long and happy future with the Dutch darts maestro.
A Perfect Match
Reflecting on their first meeting at a darts tournament in Southampton, Julia shared, “We started talking and chatted with each other for a while. There was a real click, which surprised me too. He is patient and sweet. I understand him and he understands me. I think we fit well together.”
Parisian Proposal
In a truly romantic gesture, Raymond van Barneveld proposed to Julia Evans in the city of love, Paris, with the iconic Eiffel Tower as their backdrop. The darts legend got down on one knee earlier this year, capturing the moment in several photographs.
Raymond expressed his joy in a heartfelt message, saying, “She said YES. I asked Julia to marry me in Paris this weekend, and she said yes. I’m over the moon. I love you so much.”
A Wedding Delayed
Due to the World Series of Darts finals, Raymond and Julia had to postpone their wedding plans. The tournament, which took place in September, saw Raymond’s Dutch rival Michael van Gerwen emerge as the champion. Raymond, unfortunately, lost to Peter Wright in the quarter-finals.
Cyprus Celebration
However, the delay didn’t diminish their love. In late November, Raymond van Barneveld shared a stunning wedding photo on social media. The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Cyprus in September.
In his touching message, Raymond wrote, “Five years ago, I met you for the first time. Since that moment, my life changed with you by my side. In September, you became my wife, an unbelievably beautiful day for me. I love you, Julia, forever xxxxx.”
Honeymoon Plans
Raymond and Julia’s honeymoon plans have been put on hold until after the World Darts Championships. Raymond’s busy travel schedule for darts competitions has made it challenging for them to find time for a proper honeymoon. They are looking forward to a romantic getaway in January, once the championship concludes.
Barney jokingly shared, “It’s not so easy to go on holiday in January. It’s raining everywhere. You don’t want to sit somewhere, and it’s raining for 14 days, right? We wanted to go to Malaysia, but it’s raining there all day.”
So, while Raymond van Barneveld continues to dominate the darts world, his love story with Julia Evans remains a true inspiration. Wishing this charming couple a lifetime of love and happiness!
This article is a rewrite based on the original article from The Sun.