Who is Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie and how did they meet as they celebrate their anniversary?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson’s relationship hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

They have known each other for over 10 years and 34-year-old Carrie campaigned for the then-future Prime Minister as she rose through the ranks of the Conservative Party.

Today she is enjoying her life in number 10 as the couple prepares to celebrate their second wedding anniversary (May 30th).

She had worked for the Tories for several years before crossing paths with Boris, now 57, setting their future relationship in motion.

Many details of her relationship history remain unclear, but over the past decade since she entered politics, a timeline can be pieced together.

Who is Carrie Johnson?

Born Carrie Symonds, she is the daughter of Independent founder Matthew Symonds and newspaper attorney Josephine McAfee.

She was born and raised in south-west London before going to Warwick University to study art history and theater.

She then went into politics, working for Zac Goldsmith, former Richmond Park and North Kingston MP.

In 2016, she tweeted: “My first job in politics was working for @ZacGoldsmith and I’m not sure I would have worked for the Tories if it wasn’t for him. I owe him a lot.”

In 2010 she joined the Conservative Party as press secretary before working on Boris’ successful re-election campaign for Mayor of London in 2012.

At this point she changed a few positions within the party, working for then-Culture Secretary John Whittingdale before being hired as special media adviser to Sajid Javid.

Eventually, she rose through the ranks to become the party’s communications chief.

However, she left the Tories in 2018 to work in public relations for Oceana, a project that aims to protect marine life.

In January 2021, she became communications director for the Aspinall Foundation, another conservation group.

She remains dedicated to nature and environmental protection and frequently posts on Twitter about such issues.

How did Carrie Johnson and Boris meet?

It’s unclear when Carrie and Boris first met, although it was likely 2012 when she moved to work on his re-election campaign for Mayor of London.

Rumors about the couple began circulating in spring 2018 when they sparked controversy when Boris attended her 30th birthday event alongside Michael Gove and Sajid Javid.

At the time, the Telegraph called the event an “alcohol-fueled 30th birthday party”, leading to speculation as to why Boris and other older Conservative members were attending the party.

In September 2018, Boris and then-wife Marina Wheeler announced their divorce, ending 25 years of marriage.

In the weeks that followed, Boris and Carrie’s relationship was revealed to the British public.

Are Carrie Johnson and Boris married?

In February 2020, the couple announced they were engaged and expecting their first child – son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson.

A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister and Miss Symonds are delighted to announce their engagement and that they are expecting a baby in early summer.”

Later, on Carrie’s Instagram account, she posted a snap of herself kissing Boris on the cheek and saying: “I wouldn’t normally post something like this here, but I wanted my friends to know from me…

“A lot of you already know, but for my friends who still don’t know, we got engaged late last year … and we have a baby due in early summer.”

On May 29, 2020, due to Covid restrictions at the time, the couple quietly tied the knot at Westminster Cathedral with just 30 in attendance.

The Catholic wedding took place in a “small ceremony” led by Father Daniel Humphreys – although questions have been raised as to why Boris was allowed to wed in the church following his previous divorces.

Boris had previously been married twice, to Marina Wheeler and Allegra Mostyn-Owen, but the Roman Catholic Church allows members to remarry if their previous marriages were performed outside the Church.

Their marriage meant Boris was the first prime minister to marry while in office in almost 200 years.

In December 2021, they announced the birth of their second child, daughter Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson.

After the birth, a spokesman said: “The Prime Minister and Mrs Johnson are delighted to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl at a London hospital earlier today.

“Both mother and daughter are doing very well. The couple would like to thank the brilliant NHS maternity team for all their care and support.”

How many children does Boris Johnson have?

Boris has seven children in total, although he has long refused to name the exact number of offspring.

There is a 27-year age difference between Boris’ eldest and youngest children.

His eldest is Lara Lettice Johnson-Wheeler, 28, a writer, broadcaster and editor who has made a name for herself in journalism.

Next in the Johnson clan is Milo Arthur, 26, an avid sportsman.

His career remains a mystery as he last lived in Dubai in 2014 as part of a five-month internship for Esquire Middle East.

Cassia Peaches, 24, is the next in the Johnson family.

She is a writer and was the student editor of the alumni magazine Cholmeeian while at her private school.

Theodore Apollo, 22, is the youngest of his children with his ex-wife Marina.

In 2009 Stephanie was born, the result of an affair with art consultant Helen Macintyre.

Boris’ relationship with the child was not confirmed until 2013 after a court battle in which he sought a restraining order to prevent their existence from being reported.