Boris Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds made history as the first unmarried couple to move into 10 Downing Street.
And now the British Prime Minister has again found himself in the headlines over another unprecedented event, with the 55-year-old conservative currently fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of a London hospital, after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.
His PR queen fiancée is pregnant with the couple’s first child – she is due to give birth during the British summer – and is also displaying symptoms of the virus, although she is yet to be tested.
“I’ve spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of Coronavirus. I haven’t needed to be tested and, after seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I’m on the mend,” the 32-year-old shared on Twitter this week.
“Being pregnant with Covid-19 is obviously worrying. To other pregnant women, please do read and follow the most up to date guidance which I found to be v reassuring.”
The couple’s love story is one that has captivated the British people, and the press, not least because of the scandalous way in which their romance began.
Keep on scrolling to meet the formidable Ms Symonds and find out more about her extraordinary relationship with the British PM.
Mr Johnson and Ms Symbonds have been together for over two years.
(Image: Getty)How did they meet?
Carrie and Johnson have been together for over two years.
(Image: Getty)It’s unclear exactly how the pair met, although the British PR whiz has previously worked in politics and is reportedly highly respected in parliamentary circles.
Ms Symonds actually worked as a press officer for Johnson’s London Mayor campaign, BackBoris2012, and was named the UK’s most powerful public relations professional by PR Week magazine.
She currently works as a senior adviser to ocean conservation charity Oceana and has an extensive background in charity work.
What we do know is that the pair have been dating for over two years – they were first spotted together on Valentine’s Day in 2018.
Carrie is 23 years younger than her partner.
(Image: Getty)Carrie’s romance with the PM got off to a scandalous start – the pair started dating while Johnson was still married to his ex-wife Marina Wheeler.
After 25 years of marriage, in September 2018 (several months after Carrie and the PM were first linked), Ms Wheeler and Johnson explained they had separated “several months ago” and intended to divorce.
“We decided it was in our best interests to separate,” the couple said in a joint statement.
“We have subsequently agreed to divorce and that process is under way. As friends we will continue to support our four children in the years ahead. We will not be commenting further.”
Inside their Symonds and Johnson’s domestic dispute
In June 2019, the couple made headlines after police were called to their London apartment when neighbours said they heard the pair shouting at each other, including slamming and banging, with reports Ms Symonds could be heard telling her boyfriend “Get off me” and “Get out of my flat”.
Neighbours said she reprimanded Johnson after he reportedly spilled red wine on the couch and that they heard a loud smashing sound that sounded like plates.
“You just don’t care for anything because you’re spoilt. You have no care for money or anything,” she reportedly said.
Although the police were called, nothing came of the scuffle.
Local police said in a statement: “Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well. There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action.”
Shortly after reports of the argument were made public, this happy photo below of the couple relaxing together in the countryside just happened to surface online.
The image of the couple released shortly after reports of their domestic row.
(Image: Supplied)Johnson’s team were accused of leaking the positive photo in an attempt to downplay the violent domestic dispute.
Aside from their early domestic rumblings, the couple usually keep a low profile and are rarely photographed together.
Pictured outside the official PM’s residence, 10 Downing Street.
(Image: Getty)
Ms Symonds congratulated the PM following his keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference in October 2019.
Sitting alongside Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan at a formal event last year.
(Image: Getty)Now the couple are engaged, and expecting!
In February 2020, the pair announced their engagement and Carrie’s surprise pregnancy.
“The Prime Minister and Miss Symonds are very pleased to announce their engagement and that they are expecting a baby in the early summer,” the couple said in a statement at the time.
Ms Symonds also posted a message on her personal Instagram account, revealing she had kept news of her engagement secret until now.
“I wouldn’t normally post this kind of thing on here, but I wanted my friends to find out from me,” she wrote.
“Many of you already know but for my friends that still don’t, we got engaged at the end of last year … and we’ve got a baby hatching early summer. Feel incredibly blessed.”
READ NEXT: The entire timeline of Boris Johnson’s romantic history
The happy couple are expecting a child in a few months time.
(Image: Getty)How many children does Boris Johnson have?
It’s believed the PM has five or six children, but he is famously tight-lipped about the exact number.
While Mr Johnson has four children with his ex-wife Marina Wheeler, who are all in their 20s, as well as a love child from an affair he had, there are rumours he fathered one or more other children during previous flings.
WATCH BELOW: Boris Johnson’s most controversial moments. Story continues after video.
But when asked about the topic on British radio late last year, while campaigning in the UK election, he refused to comment on the matter.
“I love my children very much but they are not standing at this election. I’m not therefore going to comment on them,” he said.
“I am not going to put them onto the pitch in their election campaign when I think what people want to hear is what my plans are for the country, what this government is determined to do and how we are going to take this country forward.
“That is the way all parties should be judged.”
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