• US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are greeted and walk with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson in Carbis Bay. AP Photo
    US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are greeted and walk with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson in Carbis Bay. AP Photo
  • Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. Getty Images
    Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. Getty Images
  • French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. Getty Images
    French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. Getty Images
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel with her husband Joachim Sauer. Getty Images
    German Chancellor Angela Merkel with her husband Joachim Sauer. Getty Images
  • Mario Draghi and his wife Serena Draghi. Getty Images
    Mario Draghi and his wife Serena Draghi. Getty Images
  • Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga accompanied by his wife Mariko Suga. AFP
    Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga accompanied by his wife Mariko Suga. AFP

Carrie Johnson ready for her moment in the G7 spotlight


Simon Rushton
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Newly married Carrie Johnson is taking on her biggest official role as the G7 summit starts in the UK, even as the weather throws a spanner at plans.
Less than two weeks after tying the knot with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, she will play a key role as the couple entertain the world's political leaders in Cornwall.
One of the reasons the Johnsons said they brought forward their wedding was the timing of the G7 summit.

With a background in PR for the ruling Conservative party, Mrs Johnson, 33, could find herself on familiar territory, even if the guests are more powerful than in her previous experience.
She will spend time with the spouses of all the leaders, including US first lady Jill Biden.

Mariko Suga, the wife of Japan's Yoshihide Suga, and Serena Cappello, married to Italy's Mario Draghi, are also new faces, but the former Ms Symonds can expect the full force of the spotlight as the British prime minister's new wife.
The Johnsons and Bidens met on Thursday before the work started, but British weather has already scuppered one of the first planned events.
The White House confirmed on Wednesday the first lady and Mrs Johnson would meet over tea and "then tour St Michael's Mount off the coast of Cornwall".

A man walks on the beach in front of a mist covered St Michael's Mount, as Cornwall prepares for the G7 Summit, in Penzance, Britain, June 10, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
A man walks on the beach in front of a mist covered St Michael's Mount, as Cornwall prepares for the G7 Summit, in Penzance, Britain, June 10, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The mount, an islet off the Cornish coast, is usually a picturesque setting with a castle and chapel only open to visitors when the tide is out.

On Thursday, it was shrouded in fog and could barely be picked out against the grim, grey sky.

A No 10 Downing Street source confirmed that the visit was “sadly off due to the weather”.

  • A surfer catches a wave in front of a naval vessel in St Ives Bay. Reuters
    A surfer catches a wave in front of a naval vessel in St Ives Bay. Reuters
  • A coastal train passes near the Carbis Bay hotel and beach, where an in-person G7 summit of global leaders is due to take place, in St Ives, Cornwall. Reuters
    A coastal train passes near the Carbis Bay hotel and beach, where an in-person G7 summit of global leaders is due to take place, in St Ives, Cornwall. Reuters
  • People look at artwork called Mount Recyclemore: The E7, which has been created out of e-waste, in the likeness of the G7 leaders and in the style of Mount Rushmore by British artist Joe Rush on Sandy Acres Beach in Cornwall. AP Photo
    People look at artwork called Mount Recyclemore: The E7, which has been created out of e-waste, in the likeness of the G7 leaders and in the style of Mount Rushmore by British artist Joe Rush on Sandy Acres Beach in Cornwall. AP Photo
  • Activists from climate action group Ocean Rebellion demonstrate in St Ives Harbour. Reuters
    Activists from climate action group Ocean Rebellion demonstrate in St Ives Harbour. Reuters
  • Naval vessels are moored in St Ives Bay, ahead of the G7 summit. Reuters
    Naval vessels are moored in St Ives Bay, ahead of the G7 summit. Reuters
  • A member of the hotel staff cleans tables in the new orangery at the Carbis Bay Hotel. Getty Images
    A member of the hotel staff cleans tables in the new orangery at the Carbis Bay Hotel. Getty Images
  • A police drone operator during a demonstration organised by Devon And Cornwall Police to illustrate the skills they may have to draw upon on order to police the forthcoming G7 Summit. Getty Images
    A police drone operator during a demonstration organised by Devon And Cornwall Police to illustrate the skills they may have to draw upon on order to police the forthcoming G7 Summit. Getty Images
  • Devon and Cornwall police officers demonstrate armed stop and arrest techniques. Getty Images
    Devon and Cornwall police officers demonstrate armed stop and arrest techniques. Getty Images
  • A man views a kite being flown on the beach at Carbis Bay. Reuters
    A man views a kite being flown on the beach at Carbis Bay. Reuters
  • Police officers make advance security checks on entrance routes to the Carbis Bay resort. Reuters
    Police officers make advance security checks on entrance routes to the Carbis Bay resort. Reuters
  • A person walks past The Cornish Arms pub as the G7 nations' flags flutter next to the Cornish flag. Reuters
    A person walks past The Cornish Arms pub as the G7 nations' flags flutter next to the Cornish flag. Reuters
  • Police officers patrol on the beach in front of the Carbis Bay Hotel. Getty Images
    Police officers patrol on the beach in front of the Carbis Bay Hotel. Getty Images
  • Police firearms officers hold their weapons as they take part in a live firing training exercise. AFP
    Police firearms officers hold their weapons as they take part in a live firing training exercise. AFP
  • Bulding works continue at the Carbis Bay Hotel ahead of the summit. Reuters
    Bulding works continue at the Carbis Bay Hotel ahead of the summit. Reuters
  • Police officers patrol the harbour in St. Ives. AP Photo
    Police officers patrol the harbour in St. Ives. AP Photo

Mrs Johnson had a brief moment when she got stuck behind the other three and wasn't sure how to get back in the line.

Mrs Biden wore a coat with the message 'Love' on it - a far cry from a similar message coat worn by her predecessor Melania Trump, which read 'I really don't care, do you?'
In brief comments, Mr Biden joked that he and Mr Johnson had both "married above their station".

US first lady Jill Biden arrived with a message of 'love' on her coat. AP
US first lady Jill Biden arrived with a message of 'love' on her coat. AP

Other spouses attending are French first lady Brigitte Macron, Germany’s Joachim Sauer, and Canada’s Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.

The Johnsons married in a small private ceremony in London's Westminster Cathedral on May 29.

They wed in front of a small group of close friends and family, in line with Covid-19 restrictions that limit ceremonies to a capacity of 30 people.

The marriage is her first and Mr Johnson’s third. He has at least five other children from previous relationships.