New parents Michelle and Mark’s love affair with ‘heavenly’ Mallorca: How family weddings, swanky eateries, work and holiday home dreams led to couple naming their daughter PALMA

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright sent the showbiz world into a spin on Wednesday when they announced the birth of their first born child. 

While the joyous news was met with gleeful congratulations, the couple, aged 37 and 38 respectively, sparked conversation with their daughter’s name, after they revealed they had called their newborn Palma – in a nod to the Balearic Islands. 

The Wright Family and Michelle have long been lovers of Mallorca, sharing snaps from every trip to the idyllic location including a shoot for their pregnancy announcement – ahead of the birth of baby Palma Elizabeth Wright earlier this week. 

So enamoured are the clan with the island, Mark’s brother Josh and sister Jessica both wed in Mallorca, while the family’s frequent visits have now led to the huge nod to Palma – the major city and seaport located in the southwest of Mallorca. 

Michelle has previously hinted at the couple’s desire to own a home in the area, while their trips are forensically documented on social media – so how did baby Palma earn her moniker in light of the love of their self-described ‘heaven’?

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright sent the showbiz world into a spin on Wednesday when they announced the birth of their first born child

The heartwarming meaning behind Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright’s baby name has reportedly been revealed 

The Wright Family and Michelle have long been lovers of Mallorca (pictured last year)

It’s believed the couple chose the name Palma because of their strong links to Majorca, their go-to holiday destination and the setting for their pregnancy reveal photoshoot 

They ensure they live it up in style during their trips to the island

FAMILY AFFAIR 

Beyond Mark and Michelle’s love of Mallorca as a couple, the location has been a mainstay for the famously close Wright family for many years. 

Mark’s sister and fellow TOWIE star Jess, tied the knot at the Basílica de Sant Francesc in Palma before their evening reception at Spanish castle, Castillo de Bendinat in September 2021. 

Michelle acted as one of Jess’ 12 bridesmaids while Mark stole the show as the Master Of Ceremonies during the reception. 

Mark’s younger brother Josh also married in Mallorca in 2018, with the footballer tying the knot to Hollie Kane at La Fortaleza.

On Instagram, Mark shared a whole group shot of the Wright family alongside Michelle in 2020, and wrote alongside: ‘Missing times like these. With my nearest and dearest in my favourite place. Missing one key player in this pic…’ 

On Instagram, Mark shared a whole group shot of the Wright family alongside Michelle in 2020, and wrote alongside: ‘Missing times like these. With my nearest and dearest in my favourite place. Missing one key player in this pic…’

Mark’s sister and fellow TOWIE star Jess, tied the knot at the Basílica de Sant Francesc in Palma before their evening reception at Spanish castle, Castillo de Bendinat in September 2021

Mark and Michelle are pictured with Mark’s mum Carol at brother Josh’s Mallorcan wedding

HOLIDAY HOME 

In August 2021, Michelle alluded to the couple’s desire to own a home on the island as she shared another host of snaps from a trip alongside emojis of a key, a house, stars and a heart.

She posted stunning scenery images, a swimwear shot and a dreamy image of the exterior of Panaderia y Pastelería Ca’n Molinas – a bakery active since 1920, and offering an authentic Mallorcan pastry experience.

The geotag simply stated ‘My Heaven’. 

In August 2021, Michelle alluded to the couple’s desire to own a home on the island as she shared another host of snaps from a trip alongside emojis of a key, a house, stars and a heart

She accompanied her hinting caption with scenery shots

Scenic images highlight why the couple love the location

SWANKY RESTAURANTS 

Revealing his fine tastes, Mark has previously shed light on his love of the eateries on the island.  

He said in 2017: ‘Yes we have been to Mallorca a number of times together, as we both love the island so much. Our most romantic place to visit is the restaurant Cap Rocat. It is the most beautiful setting ever to have dinner over! 

Cap Rocat, located in Cala Blava-Llucmajor, is an eatery attached to the swanky £566-per-night hotel and winner of a host of awards. 

Another hotspot Mark revealed he loves is Wellies the restaurant in Portals Nous, where main courses can tip €48. 

Michelle posted images of Panaderia y Pastelería Ca’n Molinas – a bakery active since 1920, and offering an authentic Mallorcan pastry experience

Michelle has adopted the Wright family’s love of the island

Revealing his fine tastes, Mark has previously shed light on his and Michelle’s love of the eateries on the island

She branded her time on the island: ‘All the good stuff’

EXPLORING THE ISLAND 

In July last year, the couple visited Deià, which Mark branded ‘the best place ever’ and is a mere 43 minute drive from their beloved Palma. 

The day after their idyllic trip to Deià, Michelle posted a slew of incredible bikini snaps, including shots from a visit to the beach in San Telmo – another hot spot located less than an hour away from Palma. 

Staying true to the local culture, alongside her racy snaps and her images of the beach, Michelle also revealed the couple were enjoying a traditional paella. 

Sharing images from the trip on his own page, Mark posed up a storm both solo and with Michelle with a backdrop of yachts while gushing about his love of Spain. 

Another Mallorcan trip saw the Wright clan alongside Mark’s best friend James Argent descend on the Balearic Island, with Mark sharing images alongside the caption: ‘A few days in our favourite place with family’.

She not only shared scenic shots but also sizzling bikini snaps 

Staying true to the local culture, alongside her racy snaps and her images of the beach, Michelle also revealed the couple were enjoying a traditional paella

The day after their idyllic trip to Deià, Michelle posted a slew of incredible bikini snaps, including shots from a visit to the beach in San Telmo – another hot spot located less than an hour away from Palma

Another Mallorcan trip saw the Wright clan alongside Mark’s best friend James Argent descend on the Balearic Island, with Mark sharing images alongside the caption: ‘A few days in our favourite place with family’

Mark is known to dub Mallorca his ‘favourite place’ 

WORK 

Far from being just for holidays, Mark has also managed to mesh business with pleasure on a number of ocassions. In 2022 Mark even used his love of the location to help plug a collaboration with travel agents TUI. 

Alongside a series of images from various trips, he penned: ‘Sure you know I love getting away and I’ve been reminiscing on some of my most amazing trips from Mallorca to Dubai, South Africa to LA…

‘To celebrate the fact that I’ve partnered with TUI, they are giving you the chance to get your Vitamin H topped up, with the ultimate holiday package of three trips away – because one holiday just aint enough!’

In 2017 Mark held a residency at party hotel BH Mallorca, where he hosted a number of pool parties throughout the summer. 

His love of party life on the island runs so deep, that he was even giving hangover tips during his residency at the raucous hotel. 

He said: ‘Drink plenty of water as it is obviously very hot out in Mallorca, so stay hydrated. You certainly don’t want a hangover ruin your holiday.’ 

Far from being just for holidays, Mark has also managed to mesh business with pleasure on a number of ocassions. In 2022 Mark even used his love of the location to help plug a collaboration with travel agents TUI

Michelle frequently shares images of her trip to the island