Boris Johnson has become the first Prime Minister to divorce while in office since the Duke of Grafton back in 1769.
Mr Johnson’s divorce to his second wife, Marina Wheeler, was made official shortly before the lockdown came into force across the United Kingdom.
On February 29, the Prime Minister announced that he was engaged to his current partner, Carrie Symonds, and also that the couple were expecting their first child together.
Just last week, Miss Symonds have birth to a baby boy named Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson.
Boris Johnson’s partner, Carrie Symonds
The Queen sent the couple a private message of congratulations on the news of their new arrival, as did other members of the Royal Family including the Duke of Cambridge.
Mr Johnson’s divorce to Ms Wheeler, one of the country’s leading barristers, means he is now free to marry his fiancé once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Ms Wheeler was granted permission by the Central Family Court to apply for a decree absolute in February 18.
55-year-old Boris Johnson and 32-year-old Carrie Symonds are the first unmarried couple live together in Downing Street.
The Duke of Grafton – the last Prime Minister to divorce in office
They both share a flat in No 11 Downing Street, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer living in No 10.
The last Prime Minister to divorce while in office was Augustus FitzRoy, Duke of Grafton.
In 1764, the Duke shocked high Georgian society when had a very public affair with the courtesan Nancy Parsons.
To make matters even more complicated, the Duke’s wife became pregnant by her lover, the Earl of Upper Ossory, and so an Act of Parliament was approved granting their divorce in March 1769.
