Mel Gibson whisks Britney away to his Costa Rican retreat for family holiday

The unlikely friendship that sprang up between Britney Spears and Mel Gibson in the wake of the pop star’s much publicised woes has been further cemented with a joint family holiday. The Australian actor is playing host to the Toxic singer and her father on his remote Costa Rica ranch this week.

The actor took the 26-year-old music star under his wing after she was hospitalised earlier this year. Now Mel and his wife have flown her to their remote Costa Rican hideaway
Photo: Getty Images

Braveheart star Mel’s sprawling cattle farm on the country’s northern Pacific coast would seem the perfect place to unwind away from the stresses of privacy-challenged LA. Located in an area of outstanding beauty, the 163-hectare property encompasses rugged forests and tranquil beaches.

Having faced his own demons, Mel seems ideally placed to offer his support to the singer
Photo: Getty Images

In March Britney and devout Christian and father-of-seven Mel, who has faced his own share of personal trials, were seen dining together. Friends explained that the actor, who’s admitted to being manic depressive, had become friendly with his former Malibu neighbour out of “an act of human kindness”.

The two families left for the sprawling estate on the country’s Pacific coast on Thursday
Photo: costarica.com

“Mel and his wife Robin clearly saw a woman in crisis and wanted to extend themselves in any way possible,” the source said.

“They are among a handful of people in the world who understand the kind of intense attention that Britney goes through and how to keep one’s family intact and out of the limelight,” added the pal.

The group are understood to have travelled to the central American country on a private jet on Thursday, planning to return to California early next week.
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Royalty and statesmen Families’ joy as they pose for the official wedding photos

Chatting happily amongst themselves after the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly on Saturday, Britain’s royals were just like every other family on such a joyous occasion.

Surrounded by their closest relatives, the bride and groom could not have looked more delighted as they smiled for the cameras against the backdrop of Windsor Castle’s opulent Frogmore House
And as the official photos show, the happiness spread far beyond the steps of St George’s Chapel. In a wedding that bridged continents and social divides – Canadian Autumn is the daughter of a hairdresser and an electrical retailer – both families look relaxed and at ease as they pose in the luxurious Frogmore House, in Windsor Castle.

The shots show a delighted bride and groom surrounded by their closest relatives – their smiles almost eclipsed by the happiness exuded by the groom’s parents, Princess Anne and her former husband, Mark Phillips. Autumn’s parents, Brian and Kitty, meanwhile, look just as proud of their beautiful daughter.

After the photos were taken, both families did exactly what every other family does in this situation – enjoyed a wonderful reception and then partied until the early hours of the morning.
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