Boris Johnson appeared without a wedding ring just three days after his secret wedding ceremony with Carrie Symonds.
The Prime Minister hosted a cheerful exhibit with schoolchildren in Downing Street Garden today, as he pledged 100 million hours of remedial lessons after the pandemic.
However, as Johnson spoke to the kids, gesturing as he tends to do, it became clear that his wedding ring still hadn’t reached his finger.
It’s unclear if the band, which was also missing his hand in photos from his wedding reception on Saturday, is being resized or if he’s choosing not to wear one this time around.
Downing Street declined to comment on the reason for the ring’s disappearance.
The Prime Minister hosted a cheerful exhibit with schoolchildren in Downing Street Garden today, as he pledged 100 million hours of remedial lessons after the pandemic
It is unclear whether the group, who was also missing his finger in photos from his wedding reception on Saturday, were fired for resizing or whether he chooses not to wear one.
A ringless Boris Johnson earlier today as he met NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg
Sharing photos of himself and the children of St Joseph’s Primary School sitting on hay bales from his festival-themed reception, Boris Johnson tweeted this afternoon: “Wonderful to meet young guests who were on a special visit to Downing Street this afternoon.
“We will do all we can to support children who lost learning during the pandemic, with up to 100 million additional hours of instruction.”
No10 confirmed the couple got married in a “small ceremony” at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday afternoon – with a bigger celebration slated for next summer.
Pictures taken at the reception in Downing Street Garden have been released showing Ms Symonds wearing a £ 2,870 flowing white lace gown from Costarellos and a garland of white flowers in her hair as she lovingly gazes at her new husband in the sunny garden.
Mr Johnson, dressed in an elegant dark suit, appeared to have brushed his unruly hair for the occasion, although his tie was slightly askew and he was not wearing a wedding ring.
Johnson shared photos of himself and the children from St Joseph’s Primary School sitting on hay bales at his festival-themed wedding reception
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosts a reception for schoolchildren, urging them to raise their hands in response to a question
Johnson was all smiles as he entertained the youngsters sitting on a picnic blanket
Another photo tweeted by Tory MPs gave a more relaxed impression of the reception, with the barefoot bride – now known as Ms Johnson – cuddling her beau who had unbuttoned her shirt collar and rolled up her sleeves.
Buntings and hay bales can be seen in the background, suggesting a Glastonbury-style summer theme, which would have been helped by the fact that London saw the first hot weather for months over the weekend.
The event was the subject of an extraordinary cape and dagger operation to silence him. Aides spent hours refusing to comment on the Catholic service before it was revealed by the Mail on Sunday.
Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds make eye contact in the first published photo of their wedding. The photograph was taken in Downing Street Garden
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who worked with Mr Johnson when he was Mayor of London, yesterday posted a photo of a barefoot Ms Symonds – now Ms Johnson – at a seemingly themed reception summer in the garden No10
Aerial photographs show a marquee and gazebo in the famous garden – with photographs from last week showing the marquee was used in official functions such as a climate business campaign.
However, Number 10 declined to say whether Mr Johnson had paid to use the facility for his own private celebration, insisting they “weren’t going into specifics”.
Ministers, Tory MPs and Keir Starmer congratulated the PM on his nuptials – though some Labor MPs were less gracious and said the timing was an effort to ‘bury the bad news’ about Covid.
Mr Johnson, 56, exchanged vows with Ms Symonds, 33, in Catholic Westminster Cathedral (pictured) in front of a handful of close friends and family – becoming the first Prime Minister to marry in office since that Lord Liverpool married Mary Chester in 1822
A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds were married yesterday [Saturday] afternoon at a small ceremony at Westminster Cathedral.
“The couple will celebrate their wedding with family and friends next summer.”
Ms Symonds, 33, wore a £ 2,870 Costarellos embroidered tulle dress with a ruffled skirt, fitted bodice, bell sleeves and lattice trims for the big day.
Mr Johnson, 56, was the first prime minister to marry in office since Lord Liverpool partnered with Mary Chester in 1822.
Ring in the change or simply follow the tradition? How only a handful of prime ministers wore wedding rings while in Downing Street
By James Robinson For MailOnline
Boris Johnson is not the first Prime Minister to be seen in public without an alliance.
In fact, few British Prime Ministers have ever been seen wearing a wedding ring – although they were all married at the time.
Boris’ predecessor, Theresa May, was one of those who turned the tide. She has often been seen wearing hers.
But those who came before her often did not. David Cameron’s decision not to wear a ring was once a hot topic of conversation.
David Cameron did not wear a wedding ring in public during his tenure as Prime Minister, but Theresa May did
Mr Cameron, who has been married to businesswoman Samantha since 1996, has always been proud of the fact that he has never worn jewelry.
Stories from the time suggested that he was following a “conservative tradition” of wealthy men not wearing jewelry such as rings and watches.
But Labor leader Gordon Brown, who married activist Sarah in 2000, was regularly pictured without a wedding ring.
And Tony Blair too – who has been married to his wife Cherie since 1980.
Interestingly, the only other female Prime Minister to occupy Number 10, Margaret Thatcher, wore her wedding ring.
Labor leader Gordon Brown (pictured right), who married activist Sarah in 2000, was regularly pictured without a wedding ring Much like Tony Blair (pictured left) – who has been married to his wife Cherie since 1980
Labor Prime Minister of the 1970s Harold Wilson was the last male Prime Minister to wear his wedding ring in public.
It’s a whole different story on the pond, in America, where the image of a strong marriage is vital.
Barack Obama, who still wore his wedding ring, made headlines in the United States when he was spotted one day without.
It turned out that the ring was in the repair shop.
