Rod Stewart reportedly made an awkward, three-word appeal while popping the question to his wife Penny Lancaster at the top of the Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. The legendary singer, who has been married to the policewoman since 2007, orchestrated the romantic gesture in the City of Light almost two decades before they tied the knot.  

According to the Daily Mail, Rod was grappled with pain and discomfort in the touching moment after he decided to pop the question on his “bad knee”. Recalling the comical twist, Penny said: “There he was on his knee. He was going, ‘Penny, please say something! I’m on my bad knee!’” 

The couple, who have been together for nearly 20 years, share two sons Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 13. In recent years, Penny has opened up about the emotional fluctuations she’s been experiencing due to the menopause.  

During her conversation on the Loose Women podcast, at 54, she discussed having ‘that conversation’ with the 80-year-old musician, acknowledging how certain aspects of their relationship has evolved.  

Giving fans an insight into some of the ways they have changed and adapted for one another, she explained: “Like you said, in a lot of relationships, having the conversation, but I didn’t know about menopause, not did Rod.  

“But as relationships do progress, I mean, Rod and I have been together for 25 years. And, you know, we’d have the discussions about how, obviously, our intimate relationship is different to what it was when we first met.  

“And I think a lot of men might have concerns, like, ‘Do you still fancy me?’ And if the woman’s not aware, you know, of the menopause, and that could be one of the reasons why the libido, the need for sex, isn’t there like it used to be.  

“It might not necessarily just be the relationship; it’s that physiological thing as well.” Throughout this journey, Rod has been a supportive partner and has highlighted the significance of open dialogue between couples.  

During a previous appearance on Loose Women in 2021, he confessed: “It was frightening because she really wasn’t the person I married. But we talked about it which I think is the most important thing a couple can do. And she explained it to me through the tears because Penny likes a cry.”  

The singer has also expressed his deep affection for his wife of almost 20 years in an interview with Hello! Magazine. He stated: “Penny is my whole world, what a girl. Love means many things to many people but to me, it’s wanting to share everything with the one you love and I love Penny more now than ever, if that is at all possible.  

“It was a beautifully romantic thing to do. We’re not proving anything, just sharing our love with our friends and family.” In addition to their two sons, Rod has six other children from previous relationships: Sarah, 61, Kimberly, 45, Sean, 44, Ruby, 37, Renee, 32, and Liam, 30.