As Carrie Symonds enters the public eye, a look back on Britain’s ‘First Ladies’

  • In a history-making moment on July 24, 2019, Carrie Symonds supported partner Boris Johnson at his first speech as Prime Minister. The PR executive is not the first girlfriend to have taken on the role but, at 31, she is the youngest partner of a British Prime Minister in 173 years. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
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    Carrie Symonds: July 24, 2019

    In a history-making moment on July 24, 2019, Carrie Symonds supported partner Boris Johnson at his first speech as Prime Minister. The PR executive is not the first girlfriend to have taken on the role but, at 31, she is the youngest partner of a British Prime Minister in 173 years. [Photo: Getty]
  • Businesswoman Samantha Cameron moved into Number 10 on 11 May 2010, with husband David and their four children. Before heading to Downing Street, Cameron was the creative director of Smythson of Bond Street and after David stepped down in 2016, she went on to found her own clothing label Cefinn. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    2/14

    Samantha Cameron: May 11, 2010 - June 13, 2016

    Businesswoman Samantha Cameron moved into Number 10 on 11 May 2010, with husband David and their four children. Before heading to Downing Street, Cameron was the creative director of Smythson of Bond Street and after David stepped down in 2016, she went on to found her own clothing label Cefinn. [Photo: Getty]
  • Before meeting husband and future Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, Sarah worked in PR and founded her own agency called Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications. But it's her charity work which Brown is most famous for, as she works tirelessly to help support women who experience complications in pregnancy. It's a topic close to her heart, as she lost daughter Jennifer due to premature birth. Brown later went on to set up the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory in her name. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    3/14

    Sarah Brown: June 27, 2007 - May 11, 2010

    Before meeting husband and future Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, Sarah worked in PR and founded her own agency called Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications. But it's her charity work which Brown is most famous for, as she works tirelessly to help support women who experience complications in pregnancy. It's a topic close to her heart, as she lost daughter Jennifer due to premature birth. Brown later went on to set up the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory in her name. [Photo: Getty]
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  • Former barrister Cherie Blair joined husband Tony at Downing Street back in May 1997. During her legal career, she specialised in employment, public law and discrimination cases. The mother-of-four later went on to focus on charity work and launched the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in 2008 - an organisation which aims to support female entrepreneurs in developing countries. She is also a patron of Breast Cancer Care, Jospice and Scope. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    4/14

    Cherie Blair: May 2, 1997 - June 27, 2007

    Former barrister Cherie Blair joined husband Tony at Downing Street back in May 1997. During her legal career, she specialised in employment, public law and discrimination cases. The mother-of-four later went on to focus on charity work and launched the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in 2008 - an organisation which aims to support female entrepreneurs in developing countries. She is also a patron of Breast Cancer Care, Jospice and Scope. [Photo: Getty]
  • During her time at Number 10, Dame Norma Major was committed to her charity work and wrote two books during her time behind the infamous black door. In 1999, she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her charitable efforts. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    5/14

    Dame Norma Major: November 28, 1990 - May 2, 1997

    During her time at Number 10, Dame Norma Major was committed to her charity work and wrote two books during her time behind the infamous black door. In 1999, she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her charitable efforts. [Photo: Getty]
  • Audrey Callaghan steered clear of the spotlight during her husband James' time at Downing Street. The former Labour member joined the board of governors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1969 and continued to raise funds for the hospital for the subsequent 30 years. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    6/14

    Audrey Callaghan: April 5, 1976 - May 4, 1979

    Audrey Callaghan steered clear of the spotlight during her husband James' time at Downing Street. The former Labour member joined the board of governors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1969 and continued to raise funds for the hospital for the subsequent 30 years. [Photo: Getty]
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • Mary Wilson was already a well-established poet before she headed to Downing Street with husband Harold. In 1970, her volume of poetry, Selected Poems, was published and in 1976, she was one of three judges of the Man Booker Prize. She passed away in 2018 aged 102, becoming the first spouse of a UK Prime Minister to live past 100. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    7/14

    Mary Wilson: March 4, 1974 - April 5, 1976

    Mary Wilson was already a well-established poet before she headed to Downing Street with husband Harold. In 1970, her volume of poetry, Selected Poems, was published and in 1976, she was one of three judges of the Man Booker Prize. She passed away in 2018 aged 102, becoming the first spouse of a UK Prime Minister to live past 100. [Photo: Getty]
  • Elizabeth Douglas-Home née Alington wed Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home, in October 1936. She went on to become the first female governor at Eton College. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    8/14

    Elizabeth Douglas-Home: October 19, 1963 - October, 16 1964

    Elizabeth Douglas-Home née Alington wed Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home, in October 1936. She went on to become the first female governor at Eton College. [Photo: Getty]
  • As any fellow fans of Netflix hit 'The Crown' will know, Lady Dorothy Macmillan was also famous for having an affair with Conservative politician, Robert Boothby, from 1929 to her death in 1966. Despite being aware of this, Harold didn't divorce her through fear of the love affair damaging his political career. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    9/14

    Lady Dorothy Macmillan: January 10, 1957 - October 18, 1963

    As any fellow fans of Netflix hit 'The Crown' will know, Lady Dorothy Macmillan was also famous for having an affair with Conservative politician, Robert Boothby, from 1929 to her death in 1966. Despite being aware of this, Harold didn't divorce her through fear of the love affair damaging his political career. [Photo: Getty]
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • Lady Clarissa Eden is the niece of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The 99-year-old published a memoir, 'From Churchill to Eden', in 2007 about her experiences at Number 10. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    10/14

    Lady Clarissa Eden, April 6, 1955 - January 10, 1957

    Lady Clarissa Eden is the niece of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The 99-year-old published a memoir, 'From Churchill to Eden', in 2007 about her experiences at Number 10. [Photo: Getty]
  • During World War II, Lady Clementine Churchill became the Chairman of the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund, the President of the Young Women's Christian Association War Time Appeal and the Chairman of Maternity Hospital for the Wives of Officers, Fulmer Chase. Her and husband Winston Churchill went on to have five children together. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    11/14

    Lady Clementine Churchill: May 10, 1940 - July 27, 1945 and May 17, 1965 - December 12, 1977

    During World War II, Lady Clementine Churchill became the Chairman of the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund, the President of the Young Women's Christian Association War Time Appeal and the Chairman of Maternity Hospital for the Wives of Officers, Fulmer Chase. Her and husband Winston Churchill went on to have five children together. [Photo: Getty]
  • Violet Attlee joined London's Civil Defence Corps in 1950 having worked with the British Red Cross Society since 1915. She supported her husband's time in office from 1945 to 1951. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    12/14

    Violet Attlee, July 26, 1945 - October 26, 1951

    Violet Attlee joined London's Civil Defence Corps in 1950 having worked with the British Red Cross Society since 1915. She supported her husband's time in office from 1945 to 1951. [Photo: Getty]
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • Neville Chamberlain credited Anne for much of his political success due to her continued support ever since he was elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1911. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    13/14

    Anne Chamberlain, May 28, 1937 - May 10, 1940

    Neville Chamberlain credited Anne for much of his political success due to her continued support ever since he was elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1911. [Photo: Getty]
  • Lucy Baldwin supported husband Stanley Baldwin across three stints as Prime Minister. Though she should be recognised in her own right, as she was heavily involved in the Young Women's Christian Association. She later went on to become vice chairman of the National Birthday Trust Fund in 1928 - an organisation designed to fund research into maternal mortality. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
    14/14

    Lucy Baldwin, May 22, 1923 - May 28, 1937 (across three stints)

    Lucy Baldwin supported husband Stanley Baldwin across three stints as Prime Minister. Though she should be recognised in her own right, as she was heavily involved in the Young Women's Christian Association. She later went on to become vice chairman of the National Birthday Trust Fund in 1928 - an organisation designed to fund research into maternal mortality. [Photo: Getty]
In a history-making moment on July 24, 2019, Carrie Symonds supported partner Boris Johnson at his first speech as Prime Minister. The PR executive is not the first girlfriend to have taken on the role but, at 31, she is the youngest partner of a British Prime Minister in 173 years. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Businesswoman Samantha Cameron moved into Number 10 on 11 May 2010, with husband David and their four children. Before heading to Downing Street, Cameron was the creative director of Smythson of Bond Street and after David stepped down in 2016, she went on to found her own clothing label Cefinn. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Before meeting husband and future Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, Sarah worked in PR and founded her own agency called Hobsbawm Macaulay Communications. But it's her charity work which Brown is most famous for, as she works tirelessly to help support women who experience complications in pregnancy. It's a topic close to her heart, as she lost daughter Jennifer due to premature birth. Brown later went on to set up the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory in her name. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Former barrister Cherie Blair joined husband Tony at Downing Street back in May 1997. During her legal career, she specialised in employment, public law and discrimination cases. The mother-of-four later went on to focus on charity work and launched the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in 2008 - an organisation which aims to support female entrepreneurs in developing countries. She is also a patron of Breast Cancer Care, Jospice and Scope. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
During her time at Number 10, Dame Norma Major was committed to her charity work and wrote two books during her time behind the infamous black door. In 1999, she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her charitable efforts. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Audrey Callaghan steered clear of the spotlight during her husband James' time at Downing Street. The former Labour member joined the board of governors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1969 and continued to raise funds for the hospital for the subsequent 30 years. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Mary Wilson was already a well-established poet before she headed to Downing Street with husband Harold. In 1970, her volume of poetry, Selected Poems, was published and in 1976, she was one of three judges of the Man Booker Prize. She passed away in 2018 aged 102, becoming the first spouse of a UK Prime Minister to live past 100. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Elizabeth Douglas-Home née Alington wed Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home, in October 1936. She went on to become the first female governor at Eton College. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
As any fellow fans of Netflix hit 'The Crown' will know, Lady Dorothy Macmillan was also famous for having an affair with Conservative politician, Robert Boothby, from 1929 to her death in 1966. Despite being aware of this, Harold didn't divorce her through fear of the love affair damaging his political career. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Lady Clarissa Eden is the niece of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The 99-year-old published a memoir, 'From Churchill to Eden', in 2007 about her experiences at Number 10. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
During World War II, Lady Clementine Churchill became the Chairman of the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund, the President of the Young Women's Christian Association War Time Appeal and the Chairman of Maternity Hospital for the Wives of Officers, Fulmer Chase. Her and husband Winston Churchill went on to have five children together. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Violet Attlee joined London's Civil Defence Corps in 1950 having worked with the British Red Cross Society since 1915. She supported her husband's time in office from 1945 to 1951. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Neville Chamberlain credited Anne for much of his political success due to her continued support ever since he was elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1911. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
Lucy Baldwin supported husband Stanley Baldwin across three stints as Prime Minister. Though she should be recognised in her own right, as she was heavily involved in the Young Women's Christian Association. She later went on to become vice chairman of the National Birthday Trust Fund in 1928 - an organisation designed to fund research into maternal mortality. <em>[Photo: Getty]</em>
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Danielle Fowler
·Freelance Writer
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Ahead of Boris Johnson's first speech as prime minster yesterday, speculation on whether or not girlfriend Carrie Symonds would join him at the podium was rife.

In a history-making move, the 31-year-old PR Executive stood amongst the crowd to support his arrival at Number 10 - a photo call traditionally taken on by the PM’s wife.

But just how much of a role is the British ‘First Lady’ counterpart expected to take on?

Amid the great cabinet re-shuffle, we take a look back at some of the UK Prime Ministers’ most famous other halves from Lady Clementine Churchill’s contribution during World War II to Samantha Cameron’s venture into fashion.

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