KEY POINTS

  • Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale's annulment has been granted by the Catholic Church five years after their split, a report says
  • The pandemic reportedly changed Stefani's mind about waiting for the annulment before marrying Blake Shelton
  • Shelton and Stefani got engaged in October last year

Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s annulment has been granted by the Catholic Church, which means there is no more barrier between her and fiancé Blake Shelton tying the knot in a church, a report says.

An unnamed source told Us Weekly that the Vatican tribunal “finally granted” the annulment, something she has been waiting nearly two years for. The insider added that the “Hollaback Girl” hitmaker will officially receive the written notice in a few weeks.

“It was a huge relief for Gwen because she wanted to get married by her priest and have the marriage recognized by the Catholic church,” the source added.

Stefani reportedly started the annulment process in March 2019 because “religion has always been extremely important to her,” and Shelton was supportive of her decision. Rossdale and the No Doubt singer, who share three sons, got married in 2002 and called it quits in 2015.

Despite wanting her marriage to Rossdale to be annulled first before tying the knot with Shelton, Stefani’s thoughts were said to have changed in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. A source said she realized that waiting for the annulment to be approved was “futile” because of how long it would take.

“COVID-19 has turned their world upside down, as it has with so many families. Gwen knows she is blessed and wants to have the wedding as soon as social distancing guidelines are lifted. Gwen wants to have a ceremony and reception with their family and friends,” the tipster said.

This is good news for Shelton and Stefani, who got engaged in October. The pair, who met on the set of “The Voice” in 2015, happily announced it on their social media accounts.

Reports have claimed that they plan to exchange vows in a chapel on Shelton's Oklahoma ranch, where he also popped the question with an unmissable ring. The country singer allegedly built the structure with help.

“It is really a tribute to their love. They are going to get married in the chapel, most likely early next year,” the tipster said, adding that the annulment “hasn’t been formally made yet, but all indications are [that] Gwen will have her Catholic wedding to Blake.”

Gavin Rossdale/ Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
A new report claims that if Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, pictured at the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2017, want to break-up, they may need to run it past Gavin Rossdale, pictured at the launch for “The Voice: UK” in London on Jan. 4, 2017, first. Getty Images