Kate Cassidy has paid tribute to her late boyfriend Liam Payne on what would have been the former One Direction singer's 33rd birthday.
The social media influencer dated Payne for two years before his death in October 2024 at the age of 31, following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Toxicology tests later revealed that alcohol and cocaine were found in his system.
Cassidy marked the milestone on Saturday by posting a photo montage on Instagram dedicated to the late pop star.
"Your birthday will always be your day. Loving you, remembering you, missing you always. Happy birthday Liam," she wrote in the post.
The shared montage included pictures of Payne relaxing in their garden, enjoying nights out, and posing with their rescue dog, Nala. Another image showed Cassidy wearing a shirt printed with Payne's surname and birth year in a mirror selfie.
Fans quickly flooded the comment section of the post to send supportive messages, with followers writing, "sending you so much love always" and "Happy birthday Liam!"
Tattoo removal and angel number tribute
The birthday post follows Cassidy's recent disclosure that she is undergoing laser removal for an angel tattoo tribute on her left hand. The influencer shared video footage from a tattoo removal studio showing the numbers 444 being lasered off, 21 months after Payne's death.
Cassidy originally got the number 444 inked on her hand, alongside the initials LP on her wrist, in the months following Payne's passing. The digits held deep personal significance for the couple, who regarded them as their angel number.
The concept of angel numbers is rooted in Ancient Greece and the teachings of the Pythagoreans in the sixth century, who believed that specific numerical patterns carried spiritual properties that provided guidance and positivity.
Before recording the laser procedure, Cassidy shared a mirror selfie wearing protective safety goggles. Addressing the removal, she explained that she had decided to remove a few tattoos that were done poorly, clarifying that she plans to have them redone in the future.
The influencer regularly includes the number 444 in her social media tributes to Payne, frequently using the digits to sign off her messages.
Cassidy previously revealed a romantic handwritten note from Payne that he had instructed her not to open until a later date. In the message, the singer expressed his desire for them to be engaged and married within a year, signing the note: "Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged and together forever 444".
Handwritten love letters and grief journey
Earlier this month, Cassidy became visibly emotional in an Instagram video as she spoke about navigating grief while going through a collection of handwritten letters from Payne.
Sitting in her basement surrounded by stacks of letters, journals, and books left by the singer, Cassidy admitted that reading his messages brought mixed emotions.
"Sometimes when I just feel sad I read old letters that Liam wrote me which make me more sad," she said in the clip. "I almost feel like people don't write letters and I have a mountain of letters and journals and books and all of these things he has left me."
She explained that although Payne's handwriting was sometimes messy and difficult to decipher, one particular note held special meaning. The letter accompanied a car he had purchased for her birthday.
"I haven't read this letter in so long. I feel like if you've lost somebody, it almost helps to read a letter and think as if they wrote it literally like from heaven and they're giving it to you like today," Cassidy said, adding that she was shaking as she read it.
Reading Payne's letter aloud to her followers, she shared his message:
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"I hope whenever you take a journey you remember I'm alongside you body and spirit. In every drive you remember how much you have driven me and all the hopes and dreams I have for your future. You're going to be a superstar if you learn how to love yourself the way I love you. So drive slow and remember to take your foot off the gas in life too. Your 20s are so difficult and you're halfway through navigating them. You're not lost at all my love. You're taking the gorgeous road to finding yourself and I can't wait to be there for every speed bump, left and right turn and roundabout. I love you."
Cassidy broke down in tears after reading the letter, sharing how Payne's words continue to inspire her during difficult moments.
"I know he's like cheering me on from up above and he's watching me navigate through my life," she said. "There are moments in life when I am so unmotivated and stressed out but reading those few sentences makes me want to work harder and push myself hard to see what I can do in this lifetime. This is why it's so important to write your loved ones letters."
