Petra Ecclestone, it is believed, filed legal papers in an attempt to change her children’s surnames from James Stunt to hers.
The British socialite, 33, wants the surnames of her children – Andrew Kulbir Stunt, James Robert Frederick Stunt and Lavinia Stunt – changed to Ecclestone, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ.
Petra divorced businessman James in 2017 after six years of marriage, and has since had her youngest child Millie, 18 months, with her fiancé Sam Palmer.
The documents state that the reason behind the name change is: ‘Change the last name of an absentee father subject to negative media, tabloid articles, and criminal investigation.
Changes: Petra Ecclestone is understood to have filed documents to change the surnames of her children from her ex-husband James Stunt’s (both pictured in 2011) name to hers
Reports say that the judge is yet to rule on the Formula One heiress filing.
MailOnline reached out to James and Petra for comments.
James, the gold bullion dealer, is being tried in 2022 for money laundering.
He has been accused of racially harassing PC Richard Harper at his former £3.9million mansion in Knightsbridge, southwest London, on June 6 last year.
Battle: The British socialite, 33, wants the surnames of her children – Andrew Kulbir Stunt, James Robert Frederick Stunt and Lavinia Stunt – changed to Ecclestone. Pictured: The three children with Petra, her fiancé Sam Palmer, and their daughter Millie
Stunt was accused of racially and religiously aggrieved harassment, as well as using abusive, threatening or infuriating words to harass or distress.
Unconditional bail was granted to him, and his trial date has been set for July 25th next year. This is in order for him to attend a previous hearing that he participated in.
James in February ‘absolutely’ denied harassing a Metropolitan Police officer racially. He was then told that he must wait 17 months to stand trial.
The businessman is due to appear in court in Leeds in April next year after being charged with money laundering and forgery following an investigation by West Yorkshire Police – all of which he strongly denies.
Marriage: James married Petra in Italy in 2011 and they welcomed Lavinia, nine, followed by twins James and Andrew, six, before their divorce in 2017
Video-link: He was present at Southwark Crown Court.
Karim Khalil (QC), the defense, requested that the court postpone the trial for the next two-to-three days until the 12-week Leeds trial, which will be held April 2019 on an unrelated money laundering case.
James was married to Petra in Italy, the daughter of Bernie Ecclestone F1 tycoon. They welcomed Lavinia (age nine), and then twins James, and Andrew (6, respectively) before divorcing in 2017.
James once boasted of being worth £3billion and having 200 luxury cars, but he was declared bankrupt in June 2019.
Family: Petra is now engaged to fiancé Sam Palmer (both pictured in March 2018), 38, and she welcomed her youngest child Millie, 18 months, with him in April last year
Petra is now engaged to fiancé Sam Palmer, 38, and she welcomed her youngest child Millie, 18 months, with him in April last year.
Sam, who is open about the past fractious relationship he had with James his ex-husband Petra has frequently reacted.
Petra’s divorce from James was finalized in October 2017 after six years marriage.
While no details of the settlement were released, it was reported that James signed a £16m prenup, with Petra also awarded sole custody of the couple’s three children.
Moving on: Meanwhile, businessman James is thought to have been with his current girlfriend Helena Robinson for around two years
Meanwhile, businessman James is thought to have been with his current girlfriend Helena Robinson for around two years.
Helena was praised by James last year for saving his life and helping him get off the drugs.
He said: ‘She saved my life – and is even willing to let me fake credit for my children’s Lego. There has never been anyone I have ever met that is more beautiful inside and outside.
She is my Helena in Troy. When people I’ve known my whole life couldn’t save me, she saved my life. She helped me get off of drugs and set the flame in my heart.
According to The Mirror the couple got together in August 2019 and then moved in together into a home in September 2020.