In an emotional and heartwarming twist, George Clarke’s new love, Florence Hvorostovsky, has received the blessing of her late husband’s family after going public with her relationship with the Amazing Spaces host. Florence, who had been married to the legendary opera singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky, recently opened up about her new chapter in life, sharing her connection with George Clarke. The couple, who have been quietly seeing each other for some time, made their relationship official, and in an exclusive statement, Florence revealed that Dmitri’s family had expressed their support and well wishes. “They have given us their blessing, and it means the world to me,” Florence said, deeply touched by their kindness and understanding.

George Clarke’s new girlfriend has been given the blessing of her late husband’s new family after going public with her new relationship.

Swiss opera singer Florence Hvorostovsky, 52, confirmed her romance with George, 48, this month, when they were seen strolling hand in hand in Ibiza.

Prior to meeting George she was married to Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and the couple had two children – Nina, 15, and Maxim, 19 – before he tragically died of brain cancer in 2017 at the age of 55.

Florence has remained on good terms with her late husband’s family, including Dmitri’s parents who live in Moscow, who have now said they support her decision to start dating again.

Supported: George Clarke’s new girlfriend Florence Hvorostovsky has been given the blessing of her late husband’s new family after going public with her new relationship (George and Florence pictured in Ibiza last week)

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Dmitri’s cousin Alexey Zarkhin, a construction entrepreneur in Siberia, said the family understood why Florence was moving on.

‘We must understand that if a woman doesn’t support her femininity, she would quite quickly turn into an old lady,’ he said. ‘Nobody would be interested in her then – neither her children, nor anyone else.

‘So however great was her late husband, and however much she loved him, we all – us all, her children, and the public – need a vibrant, lively, beautiful Florence.’

Florence – born in Italy and a fluent Russian speaker – met Dmitri at the Bolshoi Theatre in Geneva in 1999.

The world-famous baritone was performing the role of Don Juan and Florence was his partner, with the couple sparking their romance after Dmitri kissed her during rehearsals.

Widowed: Prior to meeting George she was married to Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and the couple had two children – Nina, 15, and Maxim, 19 – before he tragically died of brain cancer in 2017 at the age of 55 (pictured together in 2012)

While Florence does not live in Russia, she continued to support her husband’s legacy there by preparing concerts in Moscow for the Dmitry Hvorostovsky Foundation – which she has since paused due to the Ukraine war.

It is not known when Florence first started dating architect George, known for property shows including Amazing Spaces and The Restoration Man, but they attended Wimbledon together earlier this month.

News of the couple’s romance comes five months after it emerged George had split from wife Katie Morgan Jones.

Their break up was revealed in February, with it being said that they had put their countryside bungalow up for sale, with it being listed at £870,000.

Blessing: Florence has remained on good terms with her late husband’s family, who have now said they support her decision to start dating again (pictured: Dmitri’s cousin Alexey Zarkhin)

The Sun reported at the time that marketing consultant Katie had alluded to their break-up in a series of cryptic Instagram posts, before her page was then made private.

She is said to have shared messages including one late last year where she hints to have been ‘through the most bizarre and traumatic situation’, while a post uploaded last month read: ‘Now to the future. After a weird couple of years . . . it’s time for change.’

While in other posts, she reportedly spoke of ‘lockdowns isolated on my own’ which were a ‘test of mental agility’, while she also mentioned ‘many, many other trials and tribulations, tears and ­revelations’.

New love: It is not known when Florence first started dating architect George, but they attended Wimbledon together earlier this month

The couple, who tied the knot in Ibiza in 2018, had initially lived in their London home after marrying, but soon moved into a Cotswolds home – which is now said to sold.

George was previously wed to animator Catriona Drummond but they went on to split in 2014 after more than 10 years together. The former couple share sons Georgie and Emilio and a daughter Iona.

Confirming his split at the time in a statement, he said: ‘We have been married quite a long time and decided to part.

‘We have separate custody of the kids and are going through an amicable separation and divorce.’

Estranged: News of the couple’s romance comes five months after it emerged George had split from wife Katie Morgan Jones