A man who lost his daughter walked her ex-husband's new partner down the aisle - and says he's grateful his son-in-law found love with someone new.

Hans Bender, 85, was honoured when bride, An Smith, 54, asked if he'd walk her to the altar to marry his son-in-law, David Smith, 48, in November 2024.

David had previously been with Hans' daughter, Wendie Bender, 42, for 10 years - up until she passed away after battling breast cancer in 2012.

Hans had welcomed An with open arms when she met David a few years later.

An helped raise David's step-daughter, Hannah Bender, 25 - who is Wendie's daughter from a previous relationship - and has remained close with his former in-laws, Hans and his wife, Annelies, 74.

An and David tied the knot in an emotional ceremony in Hong Kong - with many of Wendie's friends present.

Hannah, who works in marketing, and currently living in Brussels, Belgium, said: "She [An] asked my grandpa [Hans] if he would walk her down the aisle. "

"He said yes immediately."

"He gave the most heart warming speech."

"It was very emotional and a lot about my mum and how he was grateful David has found new love."

"I was sobbing."

Hannah - who grew up in Hong Kong - was just 13 when she lost her mum.

She said: "My mum would light up a room when she'd come into one."

She has always been close with her stepdad, David, but found it hard to see him happy again when he met An in 2013.

Hannah said: "It was weird. I wanted my stepdad to be happy again."

"I'd only known him with my mum. I realised she's really not there anymore."

Hannah would often see her stepdad at her mum's parents' house - as they remained in touch with David too.

Over time as Hannah grew up she formed a close relationship with An.

She said: "We get on insanely well now."

"I can't imagine life without her."

When An and David got engaged in 2022, An decided to ask Hans to be the one to take her down the aisle.

When the time came in November 2024 there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Hannah said: "It was such a heart-warming moment. I felt she [her mum] was very present."

"All my mum's friends came up to me and all the women were sobbing."

"Just before passing she said she'd come back as a yellow butterfly."

"During the ceremony there was all these beautiful yellow butterflies."

Hannah said the union of her their marriage has showed her just how important her family are to her.

She said: "Family has always been important to all of us."

"It showed us family is the number one priority."

"Everyone is super loving. Everyone has open hearts."

Hannah says she can always "count on" her stepdad and now sees An as a "second mum"."

She said: "She's like a mother figure to me."

"She's very career driven."

"She's an inspiration to be raised by."