The 49-year-old spoke of how her romance with West began as a “love affair”, after meeting during their days at Trinity College in Dublin, in an interview with the Irish Independent.
FitzGerald also explained that her marriage has faced “ups and downs” despite the media storm that began after The Affair actor was snapped in a loved-up tryst with James in Rome back in October 2020.
“We had a wonderful love affair,” she explained about their short-lived initial romance whilst at college.
“We would look over Dublin, reading poetry to one another with the mountains in the distance. We had all the time in the world to explore the pubs and back streets and walk the canal.”
“But at the end of the summer, I left him,” she admitted. “And he has not let me forget it! But I couldn’t have settled down with him right then forever. That would not have been a good idea for either of us.”
From there, West moved to the United States to film The Wire, where he had a daughter, Martha, with his ex-girlfriend before rekindling his romance with FitzGerald.
“He was having a year out and came back to London to be with his daughter, and a mutual friend brought him to meet me. We were both, then, at the right time in our lives,” she told the publication. “And it was lovely to have that shared history, from earlier days.”
“There’s something about having lived a full life before settling down–I felt I could throw myself into family life and having babies with gusto. And I really went for it, having four in seven years!” she admitted.
“But we are totally devoted to each other and to our full, vibrant family life together.”
Aside from a vague indication of the events, FitzGerald has remained rather tight-lipped about West and James’ drama since *that* note that left the world rather sceptical of its legitimacy.
Addressing reporters outside of their home in London, the couple kissed and posed for photos, leaving behind a sheet of paper that read: “Our marriage is strong and we’re very much still together. Thank you. Catherine and Dominic.”
Earlier this month, James was the first to break her silence on the scandal in an interview with The Guardian, saying: “Ach, I’m not really willing to talk about that. There is a lot to say, not now, I’m afraid.”
Since FitzGerald confirmed that she and her husband are “going strong”, an insider close to the couple has revealed to Us Weekly that West would “like to keep it that way without having the past come and haunt them.”
And while, of course, the situation is “awkward” for all involved, said insider claims that “everyone’s hoping the relationship between Dominic and Lily can remain professional.”
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