JOHNSON & JOHNSON
Carrie Symonds becomes first Mrs Johnson after taking Boris Johnson’s last name
CARRIE Symonds became the first Mrs Johnson at the weekend after PM Boris married for the third time.
The bride opted to take her new husband’s name following a Catholic ceremony, which sparked some anger, whereas his first two wives kept their maiden names.
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Carrie, 33, who is understood to be a practising Catholic, and the 56-year-old Prime Minister tied the knot in a private ceremony in the Lady Chapel at Westminster Cathedral.
They will have a big celebration bash next July, as The Sun revealed last week.
The pair will also take their official honeymoon then at an as-yet undecided destination.
The pair slipped out of No10 yesterday afternoon to start a two-day “mini-moon” but the PM will be back at work tomorrow.
Saturday’s ceremony was officiated by Father Daniel Humphreys who baptised the couple’s son, Wilfred, one, in the Lady Chapel six months ago.
Mr Johnson was previously married to his university girlfriend Allegra Mostyn-Owen, 56, for six years and to Marina Wheeler, also 56, for 27 years.
The couple, who had four children, finalised their divorce last year. Disgruntled Catholics questioned why the twice-divorced Prime Minister was permitted to have a Catholic ceremony.
Some worshippers at Westminster were “confused” because the Catholic church does not usually permit remarriage if a former spouse, or spouses, are still alive.
Marriage becomes his anchor
EVER the optimist, Boris Johnson was undeterred by the failure of his first two marriages as he tied the knot with Carrie Symonds.
In his crisp white shirt and dark suit, the adoring husband looked slightly smarter than usual, though his hair was in the usual wild style.
Chaos is part of his character and it is also central to his popular appeal.
Much of the public love him precisely because he is full of authentic imperfections and eccentricities.
This marriage will be good for him, serving as an anchor in No10. Nearly all the most successful PMs have had strong marriages.
Carrie has personally been through a tough time, due to Covid, feuds in No10 and political scandals, like the row over redecoration costs for Downing Street. Now she may feel more secure.
The happy couple deserve congratulations at the start of this adventure.
The omens are good. The last Prime Minister to marry in office, the 2nd Lord Liverpool, was the longest serving premier of the 19th century.
- By Leo McKinstry, Historian and author
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Elizabeth Pierce, 68, said: “I don’t understand. Once you’re married, that’s it.”
The rector of St Paul’s in Deptford, South East London, Father Paul Butler, tweeted: “Always one Canon law for the rich and one for the poor.”
The Cathedral said later that the couple were both parishioners and baptised Catholics.
A spokesman said: “All necessary steps were taken, in both Church and civil law, and all formalities completed before the wedding.”
Matt Chinery, Ecclesiastical and Canon Lawyer, said the church had not recognised Mr Johnson’s first two marriages, so the third ceremony was permitted.
Several high-profile guests had been seen outside Westminster Cathedral shortly before the wedding, arousing suspicion among passers-by.
Is it third time lucky for Boris?
WITH two failed marriages behind him, many will scoff that Boris Johnson’s latest union is doomed and predict that Carrie Symonds will be crying into her pillow quicker than you can say “reshuffle”.
However, Boris, 56, has the opportunity to learn from his mistakes after marrying Allegra Mostyn-Owen at 23 — and then Marina Wheeler at 29.
In Carrie he has found a woman who clearly understands his world. As the former Tory communications director, she has a passion for politics and understands the intricacies of Whitehall.
Boris will be able to confide in her — much as Margaret Thatcher had the unwavering support of Denis.
That should not be mistaken for subservience. She is comfortable taking Boris on, berating him for spilling red wine on her sofa and accusing him of being “spoiled”.
The challenge for such strong-minded individuals will come with the need to compromise. But if they keep communicating and supporting each other, I see no reason why they shouldn’t remain happily united.
After all, they do say third time lucky.
- By Dear Deidre editor Sally Land
Most read in Politics
Insiders said the ceremony was a traditional affair from start to finish and included several Bible readings and an extract from the Song of Songs.
It is understood that the couple’s vows were not personalised.
Mr Johnson became the first PM to marry in office since Lord Liverpool in 1822.
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The band
GUESTS danced into the night to music played by a London acoustic trio.
The Bow Fiddlies cover the likes of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, Avicii’s Wake Me Up and Mumford and Sons’ hit I Will Wait.
They also play a version of Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise and a rendition of George Michael’s 1980s smash hit Faith.
It has previously earned them gigs at venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall.
And last night they added Downing Street to that list. They were spotted leaving Number 10 with instruments — and a story to tell.
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