Lil Durk, India Royale’s relationship in focus after rapper’s acquittal: What happened between them; baby mama in focus
Lil Durk’s acquittal in his federal murder-for-hire trial has once again put the rapper’s personal life in the spotlight, with an old photo of Durk and India Royale backstage during his 2022 7220 Tour resurfacing online. The image, shared on X shows the couple together in Chicago.
Lil Durk acquitted: What happened to his relationship with India Royale? (X/@DullahTheking2)The throwback surfaced a day after a federal jury found Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, not guilty of charges stemming from an alleged 2022 murder-for-hire plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo. The prosecutors accused Durk of orchestrating the attack as retaliation for the 2020 killing of his friend and fellow rapper King Von. The shooting instead killed Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson.
Durk and India Royale have been publicly linked since 2017. The couple welcomed their daughter, Willow Banks, in October 2018.
Royale also has an older daughter from a previous relationship, and Durk has spoken publicly about considering her part of his family. Durk’s blended family and his seven reported biological children, including Willow, whom he shares with Royale.
The couple’s relationship became even more public when Durk proposed to Royale onstage during a Chicago concert in December 2021. CNN reported on the proposal.
Durk and Royale have also faced periods of public speculation about their relationship. In September 2022, Royale posted that she was a “free agent”, prompting reports that the couple had split after years together. Capital XTRA’s relationship timeline documented the breakup reports and their subsequent reconciliation.
Durk later spoke about Royale in an interview with XXL, saying that she would “always” be his girl and that they would always be together. XXL’s interview with Durk also featured him discussing the couple’s relationship and denying some of the rumors that had circulated online.
Also read: Who is Brian Steel? Net worth, fees, salary of Lil Durk’s lawyer after rapper’s acquittal in murder-for-hire case
In March 2026, Royale addressed fresh breakup speculation while Durk was awaiting trial. According to HOT 97, Royale referred to Durk as her “husband” and pushed back against claims about their relationship.
The resurfaced 2022 photograph does not, by itself, establish the couple’s current relationship status. However, it has renewed interest in Royale’s connection with Durk as he celebrates a major legal victory.
The acquittal came after prosecutors accused Durk of helping arrange the shooting of Rondo. The jury found him not guilty of the charges in that case after three days of deliberations. Durk remains in custody because he faces a separate federal case involving racketeering and weapons-related charges.
Asmi is a Senior Content Producer primarily covering stories related to NRIs, immigration, visas, citizenship and global mobility. She closely follows developments that affect Indians living, working and studying abroad, with a particular focus on translating complex policies and international developments into clear, accessible stories for readers. As part of the US Desk, Asmi also reports on a wide range of political, economic and social developments in the United States, exploring their relevance to Indian and global audiences. Her work spans breaking news, features, trends and explanatory stories, with an emphasis on accuracy, timely reporting and audience-focused storytelling. Asmi likes finding the human angle behind major developments and bringing context to stories that can often feel complicated or distant. She is especially interested in stories around immigration, life abroad, careers, education and the experiences of the Indian diaspora, while also exploring a wide range of topics that spark curiosity and conversation. Outside the newsroom, Asmi is an avid reader and loves travelling, discovering new places, experiencing different cultures and collecting stories along the way.Read More
