Relived Formular one billionaire Bernie Ecclestone hosts family meal after daughter Petra's £5.5bn split from James Stunt is confirmed in five-minute hearing and Tamara salutes her 'unbreakable diamond' sister

The family of Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone have told of their relief after his daughter's acrimonious divorce finally ended at a five-minute court heard.

Petra Ecclestone and her businessman husband James Stunt have been back and forth to court this year as they geared up for a bitter fight over their estimated £5.5billion fortune.

But when their heavyweight legal teams came before a judge again today it emerged the warring pair have agreed what will be one of Britain's biggest ever divorce settlements.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Ecclestone told MailOnline: 'I'm just glad it's over. Petra is too. She has been very tolerant and has been concerned about James.

'Now we are going for a family meal, but we were doing that anyway. No champagne, no big celebration. Just Petra and her sister, me, her mother and the family.'

Ms Ecclestone's sister Tamara also posted her support online, with an Instagram message reading: 'You're a diamond dear, they can't break you.'

Neither Ms Ecclestone, 28, or Mr Stunt were in court for the short hearing, and details of how their assets will be split have not been made public.

Mr Stunt said after the hearing: 'I am devastated that my marriage has broken down. I love Petra and our children.'

He said the couple's 'most important responsibility' was now 'being mother and father to our wonderful children'.

Despite a bad-tempered court hearing earlier this year, at which Mr Stunt clashed with Ms Ecclestone's father, a representative for the 35-year-old said he wants to remain 'firm friends' with his now-ex-wife.

At the heated court hearing earlier this year, a judge heard how Mr Stunt had been abusive, violent and took overdoses during his marriage to the glamorous heiress.

The judge warned the pair that being locked in long-running litigation over the split would only make matters worse for all involved.

On being told the parties had come to an agreement today, Judge Robin Tolson QC said: 'I'm delighted about that and I congratulate both parties.'

Philip Cayford QC, representing Mr Stunt, said: 'Clearly both parties have come to agreement which is an extremely desirable outcome.'

The pair had hired some of the country's most high profile divorce lawyers to represent them as they fought over how to divide their wealth.

Ms Ecclestone's legal team included Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who represented Sir Paul McCartney in his divorce battle with Heather Mills.

Ms Ecclestone's lawyers instigated an earlier hearing to force her estranged husband to move out of their 14-bedroom home in Chelsea so she and their three children could live there.

The said Stunt was seeking to hijack divorce proceedings 'for a wholly improper collateral purpose'.

Speaking earlier this year, Mr Ecclestone said his daughter had 'suffered an awful lot' and that he 'couldn't bear for her to suffer any more'.

He added: 'She left there a few months ago when she couldn't take any more. He is refusing to leave. The judge told him to leave by Friday. I am sure he will because, if not, it is an order of the court and the police will make sure he goes'.

The out-of-court settlement meant a two-day public hearing to decide who should get what after their split was avoided.

Ms Ecclestone and Mr Stunt had been expected to fight over their £158million mansion in Los Angeles and a Grade II-listed home in London's Chelsea, worth up to £100million.

At a hearing earlier this year, the family court was told Mr Stunt had signed a prenuptial agreement worth £16million.

Mr Stunt was later pictured smoking a cigarette and clutching two blue china cats as a cavalcade of cars swept him away from the property.

A Lamborghini, one of a fleet of luxury cars he owns, was driven behind by one of his entourage.

The businessman, who runs an international gold bullion firm, assets were also said to include a wine collection worth up to £15million and two Chelsea properties worth up to £4million each, a previous hearing was told.

The couple are believed to have first met on a blind date in 2006. They married six years ago at a multi-million-pound ceremony at Odescalchi Castle, Rome, when they and 350 guests were entertained by an array of pop stars. They have three children together, aged between four and two.

The signing of the decree nisi means the couple will be able to apply for a decree absolute in six weeks, officially ending the marriage.

2006: The couple go on a blind date after being set up by friends

2007: James 'meets the parents' and spends time with Bernie Ecclestone on days out including the races and Formula One events

2009: The couple are frequently spotted out and about on the socialite scene with Petra's sister Tamara

2011: They wed in a £12million ceremony at an Italian castle surrounded by pop stars and celebrities

2013: Daughter Lavinia is born

2015: Two more children follow when Petra gives birth to twin sons James Jr and Andrew

2017: Judge approves first stage of divorce.

Please Share:

Kindly drop a comment. The comment box is below