Spouses of the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
The Spouse of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the title of the wife or husband of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
. To date it has been held by 44 women and one man who have been married to British Prime Ministers whilst in office. The United Kingdom has also had four bachelor and several widower Prime Ministers, the last bachelor being Edward Heath
, and the last widower being Ramsay MacDonald
.
The position is similar to a politcal "First Lady
", and is often referred to by the press as 'First Lady of the United Kingdom' or "First Gentlemen
" when Margaret Thatcher
was prime Minister, however as the Prime Minister is not the Head of State
this is not a recognised title as HM Elizabeth II takes precedence over all including the Prime Minister, their spouse and Government. In some monarchies the wife of the Prime Minister is referred to as the "Second Lady
" however this is not recognised in the United Kingdom
.
The current holder is Samantha Cameron
, wife of David Cameron
and is also the youngest prime ministerial spouse to enter Downing Street since Clarissa,Lady Eden
took the position when Sir Anthony Eden
took office in 1955 . There are currently five living spouses of former Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom:
have chosen to remain very much in the background. However over time the position has evolved and others such as Cherie Blair
have gained public attention through their own independent careers and achievements. The role also includes playing hostess at 10 Downing Street
during state visits and ceremonial functions. Samantha Cameron hosted a street party at Downing Street to celebrate the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
. The Prime Ministers consort has gained more media attention over time especially concerning fashion and when attending functions such as national conference and at summit meetings.
_countess_of_chatham_(1721-1803).jpg)
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
. To date it has been held by 44 women and one man who have been married to British Prime Ministers whilst in office. The United Kingdom has also had four bachelor and several widower Prime Ministers, the last bachelor being Edward Heath
Edward Heath
Sir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
, and the last widower being Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay MacDonald
James Ramsay MacDonald, PC, FRS was a British politician who was the first ever Labour Prime Minister, leading a minority government for two terms....
.
The position is similar to a politcal "First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
", and is often referred to by the press as 'First Lady of the United Kingdom' or "First Gentlemen
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
" when Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
was prime Minister, however as the Prime Minister is not the Head of State
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
this is not a recognised title as HM Elizabeth II takes precedence over all including the Prime Minister, their spouse and Government. In some monarchies the wife of the Prime Minister is referred to as the "Second Lady
Second Lady
A Second Lady is a title sometimes used in reference to the wife of a vice president or a lieutenant governor, styled relative to the title of First Lady, the wife of a president or governor...
" however this is not recognised in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Current
Samantha Cameron
Samantha Gwendoline Cameron , often known simply as "Sam Cam", is a British business executive and wife of David Cameron, the current Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom....
, wife of David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
and is also the youngest prime ministerial spouse to enter Downing Street since Clarissa,Lady Eden
Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon
Anne Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon is the widow of Sir Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon , who was British Prime Minister from 1955-1957. She married Eden in 1952, becoming Lady Eden in 1954 when he was made a Knight of the Garter and Countess of Avon in 1961 on his elevation to the peerage...
took the position when Sir Anthony Eden
Anthony Eden
Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
took office in 1955 . There are currently five living spouses of former Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom:
- Clarissa Eden, Countess of AvonClarissa Eden, Countess of AvonAnne Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon is the widow of Sir Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon , who was British Prime Minister from 1955-1957. She married Eden in 1952, becoming Lady Eden in 1954 when he was made a Knight of the Garter and Countess of Avon in 1961 on his elevation to the peerage...
, widow of Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of AvonAnthony EdenRobert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
- Mary Wilson, Baroness Wilson of Rievaulx, widow of Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of RievaulxHarold WilsonJames Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
- Dame Norma MajorNorma MajorDame Norma Christina Elizabeth Major, DBE , is the wife of Sir John Major, the former British Prime Minister.-Biography:...
, wife of Sir John MajorJohn MajorSir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
- Cherie BlairCherie BlairCherie Blair , known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is a British barrister working in the legal system of England and Wales. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; the couple have three sons and one daughter...
, QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, wife of Tony BlairTony BlairAnthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
- Sarah Brown, wife of Gordon BrownGordon BrownJames Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
Role and Duties
The role of the Prime Ministerial Consort is not an official office and as such they are not given a salary or official duties, some spouses, such as Norma MajorNorma Major
Dame Norma Christina Elizabeth Major, DBE , is the wife of Sir John Major, the former British Prime Minister.-Biography:...
have chosen to remain very much in the background. However over time the position has evolved and others such as Cherie Blair
Cherie Blair
Cherie Blair , known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is a British barrister working in the legal system of England and Wales. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; the couple have three sons and one daughter...
have gained public attention through their own independent careers and achievements. The role also includes playing hostess at 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
during state visits and ceremonial functions. Samantha Cameron hosted a street party at Downing Street to celebrate the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
The wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. Prince William, the eldest son of Charles, Prince of Wales, first met Catherine Middleton in 2001, when both were studying at the University of St Andrews. Their...
. The Prime Ministers consort has gained more media attention over time especially concerning fashion and when attending functions such as national conference and at summit meetings.
List of spouses of the British Prime Minister
| Prime Minister | Dates | Spouse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Robert Walpole Robert Walpole Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, KB, PC , known before 1742 as Sir Robert Walpole, was a British statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain.... later The Earl of Orford Earl of Orford Earl of Orford is a title that has been created three times. The first creation came in the Peerage of England in 1697 in favour of the naval commander Edward Russell, who served three times as First Lord of the Admiralty. He was created Baron Shingay and Viscount Barfleur at the same time... |
4 April 1721 – 20 August 1737 | Lady Walpole Catherine, Lady Walpole Catherine, Lady Walpole, was the first wife of British politician and Prime Minister Robert Walpole from 30 July 1700 until her death in Chelsea in 1737... (née Married and maiden names A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name.... Catherine Shorter) |
Walpole's first wife, she died in 1737. |
| 20 August 1737 – c. Circa Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date... 3 March 1738 |
None | Following Catherine's death, Walpole was a widower until he remarried. | |
| c. Circa Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date... 3 March – 4 June 1738 |
Lady Walpole Maria, Lady Walpole Maria, Lady Walpole was the second wife of British politician and Prime Minister Robert Walpole from before 3 March 1738 until her death in childbirth a few months later... (née Maria Skerret) |
The second wife of Sir Robert Walpole, she died in childbirth in 1738. | |
| 4 June 1738 – 11 February 1742 | None | Sir Robert Walpole remained a widower after his second wife's death. | |
| The Earl of Wilmington Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington KG, KB, PC was a British Whig statesman who served continuously in government from 1715 until his death. He served as the nominal head of government from 1742 until his death in 1743, but was merely a figurehead for the true leader of the government, Lord... (Sir Spencer Compton) |
16 February 1742 – 2 July 1743 | None | Lord Wilmington never married. |
| Henry Pelham Henry Pelham Henry Pelham was a British Whig statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 27 August 1743 until his death in 1754... |
27 August 1743 – 6 March 1754 | Lady Catherine Pelham (née Manners) |
|
| The Duke of Newcastle (Sir Thomas Pelham-Holles) |
16 March 1754 – 16 November 1756 | The Duchess of Newcastle (née Lady Henrietta Godolphin) |
|
| The Duke of Devonshire William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, KG, PC , styled Lord Cavendish before 1729 and Marquess of Hartington between 1729 and 1755, was a British Whig statesman who was briefly nominal Prime Minister of Great Britain... (Sir William Cavendish) |
16 November 1756 – 25 June 1757 | None | The Duke of Devonshire's wife, the Marchioness of Hartington (née Lady Charlotte Boyle), died in 1754, before he came to office. |
| The Duke of Newcastle (Sir Thomas Pelham-Holles) |
2 July 1757 – 26 May 1762 | The Duchess of Newcastle (née Lady Henrietta Godolphin) |
|
| The Earl of Bute John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute KG, PC , styled Lord Mount Stuart before 1723, was a Scottish nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain under George III, and was arguably the last important favourite in British politics... (Sir John Stuart) |
26 May 1762 – 16 April 1763 | The Countess of Bute Mary Stuart, Countess of Bute Mary Stuart, Countess of Bute and 1st Baroness Mount Stuart was the daughter of Edward Wortley-Montagu and Lady Mary Pierrepont .... (née Mary Wortley-Montagu) |
|
| George Grenville George Grenville George Grenville was a British Whig statesman who rose to the position of Prime Minister of Great Britain. Grenville was born into an influential political family and first entered Parliament in 1741 as an MP for Buckingham... |
16 April 1763 – 13 July 1765 | Elizabeth Grenville (née Wyndham) |
|
| The Marquess of Rockingham Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, KG, PC , styled The Hon. Charles Watson-Wentworth before 1733, Viscount Higham between 1733 and 1746, Earl of Malton between 1746 and 1750 and The Earl Malton in 1750, was a British Whig statesman, most notable for his two terms as Prime... (Sir Charles Watson-Wentworth) |
13 July 1765 – 30 July 1766 | The Marchioness of Rockingham (née Mary Bright) |
|
| The Earl of Chatham William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC was a British Whig statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War... (William Pitt) |
30 July 1766 – 14 October 1768 | The Countess of Chatham Hester Pitt, Countess of Chatham Hester Pitt, Countess of Chatham , 1st Baroness Chatham in her own right, was the wife of William Pitt , 1st Earl of Chatham, who was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768... (née Lady Hester Grenville) |
|
| The Duke of Grafton Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, KG, PC , styled Earl of Euston between 1747 and 1757, was a British Whig statesman of the Georgian era... (Sir Augustus FitzRoy) |
14 October 1768 – 28 January 1770 | The Duchess of Grafton (née Elizabeth Wrottesley) |
Elizabeth was Grafton's second Duchess |
| Lord North Frederick North, Lord North Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, KG, PC , more often known by his courtesy title, Lord North, which he used from 1752 until 1790, was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782. He led Great Britain through most of the American War of Independence... (Sir Frederick North; later Earl of Guilford) |
28 January 1770 – 22 March 1782 | Lady North (née Anne Speke; later Countess of Guilford) |
|
| The Marquess of Rockingham Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, KG, PC , styled The Hon. Charles Watson-Wentworth before 1733, Viscount Higham between 1733 and 1746, Earl of Malton between 1746 and 1750 and The Earl Malton in 1750, was a British Whig statesman, most notable for his two terms as Prime... (Sir Charles Watson-Wentworth) |
27 March – 1 July 1782 | The Marchioness of Rockingham (née Mary Bright) |
|
| The Earl of Shelburne William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne William Petty-FitzMaurice, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, KG, PC , known as The Earl of Shelburne between 1761 and 1784, by which title he is generally known to history, was an Irish-born British Whig statesman who was the first Home Secretary in 1782 and then Prime Minister 1782–1783 during the final... (Sir William Petty; later Marquess of Lansdowne) |
4 July 1782 – 2 April 1783 | The Countess of Shelburne (née Lady Louisa FitzPatrick; later Marchioness of Lansdowne) |
Louisa was Shelburne's second Countess |
| The Duke of Portland William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, KG, PC was a British Whig and Tory statesman, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Prime Minister. He was known before 1762 by the courtesy title Marquess of Titchfield. He held a title of every degree of British nobility—Duke,... (William Cavendish-Bentinck) |
2 April – 19 December 1783 | The Duchess of Portland (née Lady Dorothy Cavendish) |
|
| William Pitt the Younger William Pitt the Younger William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806... |
19 December 1783 – 14 March 1801 | None | Pitt the Younger never married. |
| Henry Addington Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC was a British statesman, and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804.... (later Viscount Sidmouth) |
17 March 1801 – 10 May 1804 | Ursula Addington (née Hammond; later Viscountess Sidmouth) |
|
| William Pitt the Younger William Pitt the Younger William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806... |
10 May 1804 – 23 January 1806 | None | Pitt the Younger never married. |
| The Lord Grenville | 11 February 1806 – 31 March 1807 | Anne, The Lady Grenville | |
| The Duke of Portland William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, KG, PC was a British Whig and Tory statesman, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Prime Minister. He was known before 1762 by the courtesy title Marquess of Titchfield. He held a title of every degree of British nobility—Duke,... |
31 March 1807 – 4 October 1809 | Dorothy, The Duchess of Portland | |
| Spencer Perceval Spencer Perceval Spencer Perceval, KC was a British statesman and First Lord of the Treasury, making him de facto Prime Minister. He is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated... |
4 October 1809 – 11 May 1812 | Jane Perceval | |
| The Earl of Liverpool Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool KG PC was a British politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since the Union with Ireland in 1801. He was 42 years old when he became premier in 1812 which made him younger than all of his successors to date... |
8 June 1812 – 9 April 1827 | Louisa, The Countess of Liverpool | |
| George Canning George Canning George Canning PC, FRS was a British statesman and politician who served as Foreign Secretary and briefly Prime Minister.-Early life: 1770–1793:... |
10 April – 8 August 1827 | Joan Canning Joan Canning, 1st Viscountess Canning Joan Canning, 1st Viscountess Canning was the wife of British Prime Minister George Canning.She was born Joan Scott in Scotland, the daughter of Major-General John Scott and Margaret Dundas... |
|
| The Viscount Goderich Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich Frederick John Robinson, 1st Earl of Ripon PC , styled The Honourable F. J. Robinson until 1827 and known as The Viscount Goderich between 1827 and 1833, the name by which he is best known to history, was a British statesman... |
31 August 1827 – 21 January 1828 | Sarah, The Viscountess Goderich | |
| The Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century... |
22 January 1828 – 16 November 1830 | Catherine, The Duchess of Wellington Catherine Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington Catherine Sarah Dorothea Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington was the wife of the 1st Duke of Wellington. She is commonly known as Kitty Pakenham.-Early Life:... |
|
| The Earl Grey Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, KG, PC , known as Viscount Howick between 1806 and 1807, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 22 November 1830 to 16 July 1834. A member of the Whig Party, he backed significant reform of the British government and was among the... |
22 November 1830 – 9 July 1834 | Mary, The Countess Grey | |
| The Viscount Melbourne William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics... |
16 July – 14 November 1834 | None | Lord Melbourne's wife, Lady Caroline Lamb Lady Caroline Lamb The Lady Caroline Lamb was a British aristocrat and novelist, best known for her affair with Lord Byron in 1812. Her husband was the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the Prime Minister... , died in 1828. |
| The Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century... |
14 November – 10 December 1834 | None | Wellington's wife, Catherine, Duchess of Wellington Catherine Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington Catherine Sarah Dorothea Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington was the wife of the 1st Duke of Wellington. She is commonly known as Kitty Pakenham.-Early Life:... , died in 1831. |
| Sir Robert Peel, Bt. Robert Peel Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846... |
10 December 1834 – 8 April 1835 | Julia, Lady Peel | |
| The Viscount Melbourne William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics... |
18 April 1835 – 30 August 1841 | None | Lord Melbourne's wife, Lady Caroline Lamb Lady Caroline Lamb The Lady Caroline Lamb was a British aristocrat and novelist, best known for her affair with Lord Byron in 1812. Her husband was the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the Prime Minister... , died in 1828. |
| Sir Robert Peel, Bt. Robert Peel Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846... |
30 August 1841 – 29 June 1846 | Julia, Lady Peel | |
| Lord John Russell John Russell, 1st Earl Russell John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC , known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century.... |
30 June 1846 – 21 February 1852 | Lady John Russell | |
| The Earl of Derby Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley... |
23 February – 17 December 1852 | Emma, The Countess of Derby | |
| The Earl of Aberdeen George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen KG, KT, FRS, PC , styled Lord Haddo from 1791 to 1801, was a Scottish politician, successively a Tory, Conservative and Peelite, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 until 1855.-Early life:Born in Edinburgh on 28 January 1784, he... |
19 December 1852 – 30 January 1855 | Harriet, The Countess of Aberdeen | |
| The Viscount Palmerston Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, KG, GCB, PC , known popularly as Lord Palmerston, was a British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister in the mid-19th century... |
6 February 1855 – 19 February 1858 | Emily, The Viscountess Palmerston Emily Lamb, Lady Cowper Emily Lamb was a leading figure of the Almack's social set, sister to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, and wife to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.-The Lamb family:... |
|
| The Earl of Derby Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley... |
20 February 1858 – 11 June 1859 | Emma, The Countess of Derby | |
| The Viscount Palmerston Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, KG, GCB, PC , known popularly as Lord Palmerston, was a British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister in the mid-19th century... |
12 June 1859 – 16 October 1865 | Emily, The Viscountess Palmerston Emily Lamb, Lady Cowper Emily Lamb was a leading figure of the Almack's social set, sister to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, and wife to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.-The Lamb family:... |
|
| The Earl Russell John Russell, 1st Earl Russell John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC , known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century.... |
29 October 1865 – 26 June 1866 | Frances, The Countess Russell | |
| The Earl of Derby Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, KG, PC was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley... |
28 June 1866 – 25 February 1868 | Emma, The Countess of Derby | |
| Benjamin Disraeli (later The Earl of Beaconsfield) |
27 February – 1 December 1868 | Mary Disraeli (later The Viscountess Beaconsfield) | |
| William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time... |
3 December 1868 – 17 February 1874 | Catherine Gladstone Catherine Gladstone Catherine Glynne Gladstone was the wife of British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone for 59 years, until his death in 1898.-Family:... |
|
| The Earl of Beaconsfield | 20 February 1874 – 21 April 1880 | None | Disraeli's wife, Mary, died in 1872. |
| William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time... |
23 April 1880 – 9 June 1885 | Catherine Gladstone Catherine Gladstone Catherine Glynne Gladstone was the wife of British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone for 59 years, until his death in 1898.-Family:... |
|
| The Marquess of Salisbury Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, PC , styled Lord Robert Cecil before 1865 and Viscount Cranborne from June 1865 until April 1868, was a British Conservative statesman and thrice Prime Minister, serving for a total of over 13 years... |
23 June 1885 – 28 January 1886 | Georgina, The Marchioness of Salisbury Georgina Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury Georgina Charlotte Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury, VA, CI was the wife of British statesman, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury.... |
|
| William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time... |
1 February – 20 July 1886 | Catherine Gladstone Catherine Gladstone Catherine Glynne Gladstone was the wife of British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone for 59 years, until his death in 1898.-Family:... |
|
| The Marquess of Salisbury Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, PC , styled Lord Robert Cecil before 1865 and Viscount Cranborne from June 1865 until April 1868, was a British Conservative statesman and thrice Prime Minister, serving for a total of over 13 years... |
25 July 1886 – 11 August 1892 | Georgina, The Marchioness of Salisbury Georgina Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury Georgina Charlotte Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury, VA, CI was the wife of British statesman, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury.... |
|
| William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone FRS FSS was a British Liberal statesman. In a career lasting over sixty years, he served as Prime Minister four separate times , more than any other person. Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister, 84 years old when he resigned for the last time... |
15 August 1892 – 2 March 1894 | Catherine Gladstone Catherine Gladstone Catherine Glynne Gladstone was the wife of British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone for 59 years, until his death in 1898.-Family:... |
|
| The Earl of Rosebery Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, KG, PC was a British Liberal statesman and Prime Minister. Between the death of his father, in 1851, and the death of his grandfather, the 4th Earl, in 1868, he was known by the courtesy title of Lord Dalmeny.Rosebery was a Liberal Imperialist who... |
5 March 1894 – 22 June 1895 | None | Lord Rosebery's wife, Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery was the daughter of Mayer de Rothschild and his wife Juliana, née Cohen... , died in 1890. |
| The Marquess of Salisbury Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, KG, GCVO, PC , styled Lord Robert Cecil before 1865 and Viscount Cranborne from June 1865 until April 1868, was a British Conservative statesman and thrice Prime Minister, serving for a total of over 13 years... |
25 June 1895 – 20 November 1899 | Georgina, The Marchioness of Salisbury Georgina Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury Georgina Charlotte Gascoyne-Cecil, Marchioness of Salisbury, VA, CI was the wife of British statesman, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury.... |
Lady Salisbury died in 1899. |
| 20 November 1899 – 11 July 1902 | None | ||
| Arthur Balfour Arthur Balfour Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour, KG, OM, PC, DL was a British Conservative politician and statesman... |
11 July 1902 – 5 December 1905 | None | Arthur Balfour never married. |
| Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman Henry Campbell-Bannerman Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman GCB was a British Liberal Party politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1905 to 1908 and Leader of the Liberal Party from 1899 to 1908. He also served as Secretary of State for War twice, in the Cabinets of Gladstone and Rosebery... |
5 December 1905 – 30 August 1906 | Charlotte, Lady Campbell-Bannerman Charlotte Campbell-Bannerman Charlotte, Lady Campbell-Bannerman was the wife of British prime minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman.Sarah Charlotte Bruce was the daughter of Major-General Sir Charles Bruce, KCB, sometime Governor of Portsmouth, and his wife Charlotte, daughter of James Forbes, of Hutton Hall, Essex, and... |
Lady Campbell-Bannerman died in 1906. |
| 30 August 1906 – 3 April 1908 | None | ||
| H. H. Asquith H. H. Asquith Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC, KC served as the Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916... |
5 April 1908 – 5 December 1916 | Margot Asquith Margot Asquith Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith , born Emma Alice Margaret Tennant, was an Anglo-Scottish socialite, author and wit... |
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| David Lloyd George David Lloyd George David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman... |
6 December 1916 – 19 October 1922 | Margaret Lloyd George Margaret Lloyd George Dame Margaret Lloyd George, GBE , née Margaret Owen, was the first wife of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George - from 1888 until her death in 1941.-Biography:... |
Margaret Lloyd George was made a Dame of the Order of the British Empire Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... in 1920. |
| Andrew Bonar Law | 23 October 1922 – 20 May 1923 | None | Andrew Bonar Law's wife, Annie, died in 1909. |
| Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars... |
23 May 1923 – 16 January 1924 | Lucy Baldwin Lucy Baldwin, Countess Baldwin of Bewdley Lucy Baldwin, Countess Baldwin of Bewdley, GBE, DGStJ was the wife of British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin... |
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| Ramsay MacDonald Ramsay MacDonald James Ramsay MacDonald, PC, FRS was a British politician who was the first ever Labour Prime Minister, leading a minority government for two terms.... |
22 January – 4 November 1924 | None | MacDonald's wife, Margaret, died in 1911. Their daughter, Ishbel Ishbel MacDonald Ishbel Allan MacDonald was the daughter of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ramsay MacDonald and his wife Margaret MacDonald née Gladstone. Margaret's death in 1911 - a year after their son David had died - left Ramsay a single father to his remaining five children... , acted as hostess. |
| Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars... |
4 November 1924 – 5 June 1929 | Lucy Baldwin Lucy Baldwin, Countess Baldwin of Bewdley Lucy Baldwin, Countess Baldwin of Bewdley, GBE, DGStJ was the wife of British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin... |
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| Ramsay MacDonald Ramsay MacDonald James Ramsay MacDonald, PC, FRS was a British politician who was the first ever Labour Prime Minister, leading a minority government for two terms.... |
5 June 1929 – 7 June 1935 | None | MacDonald's wife, Margaret, died in 1911. Their daughter, Ishbel Ishbel MacDonald Ishbel Allan MacDonald was the daughter of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ramsay MacDonald and his wife Margaret MacDonald née Gladstone. Margaret's death in 1911 - a year after their son David had died - left Ramsay a single father to his remaining five children... , acted as hostess. |
| Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars... |
7 June 1935 – 28 May 1937 | Lucy Baldwin Lucy Baldwin, Countess Baldwin of Bewdley Lucy Baldwin, Countess Baldwin of Bewdley, GBE, DGStJ was the wife of British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin... |
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| Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain Arthur Neville Chamberlain FRS was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from May 1937 to May 1940. Chamberlain is best known for his appeasement foreign policy, and in particular for his signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938, conceding the... |
28 May 1937 – 10 May 1940 | Anne Chamberlain Anne Chamberlain Anne Vere Chamberlain, née Anne de Vere Cole was the wife of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.Chamberlain was born to Major William Utting Cole, of West Woodhay House; he died in India of cholera while she was young... |
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| Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice... |
10 May 1940 – 27 July 1945 | Clementine Churchill Clementine Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, GBE, CStJ was the wife of Sir Winston Churchill and a life peeress in her own right.-Early life:... |
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| Clement Attlee Clement Attlee Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955... |
27 July 1945 – 26 October 1951 | Violet Attlee Violet Attlee, Countess Attlee Violet Helen Attlee, Countess Attlee was the wife of British Prime Minister Clement Attlee.... |
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| Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice... |
26 October 1951 – 7 April 1955 | Clementine Churchill Clementine Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, GBE, CStJ was the wife of Sir Winston Churchill and a life peeress in her own right.-Early life:... |
She was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 1946. When Winston Churchill was knighted Order of the Garter The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St... in 1953, Clementine also became Lady Churchill. She became a life peeress in her own right in 1965, as Baroness Spencer-Churchill. |
| Sir Anthony Eden Anthony Eden Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957... |
7 April 1955 – 9 January 1957 | Clarissa, Lady Eden Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon Anne Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon is the widow of Sir Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon , who was British Prime Minister from 1955-1957. She married Eden in 1952, becoming Lady Eden in 1954 when he was made a Knight of the Garter and Countess of Avon in 1961 on his elevation to the peerage... |
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| Harold Macmillan Harold Macmillan Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC was Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 January 1957 to 18 October 1963.... |
11 January 1957 – 19 October 1963 | The Lady Dorothy Macmillan Lady Dorothy Macmillan Lady Dorothy Evelyn Macmillan GBE was a daughter of the 9th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and the wife of the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.-Family life:... |
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| Sir Alec Douglas-Home Alec Douglas-Home Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home, Baron Home of the Hirsel, KT, PC , known as The Earl of Home from 1951 to 1963 and as Sir Alec Douglas-Home from 1963 to 1974, was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 1963 to October 1964.He is the last... |
20 October 1963 – 16 October 1964 | Elizabeth, Lady Douglas-Home Elizabeth Douglas-Home, Baroness Home of the Hirsel Elizabeth Hester Douglas-Home, Baroness Home of the Hirsel was the wife of the British Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home.... |
For the first three days of his premiership, Alec Douglas-Home was the 14th Earl of Home Earl of Home The title Earl of Home was created in 1605 in the Peerage of Scotland for Alexander Home of that Ilk, who was already the 6th Lord Home.The Earl of Home holds the subsidiary titles of Lord Home , and Lord Dunglass , in the Peerage of Scotland; and Baron Douglas, of Douglas in the County of Lanark ... until he renounced Peerage Act 1963 The Peerage Act 1963 is the Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that permitted peeresses in their own right and all Scottish hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, and which allows newly inherited hereditary peerages to be "disclaimed".-Background:The Act resulted largely from the... his peerages. During this time, Elizabeth was The Countess of Home. |
| Harold Wilson Harold Wilson James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the... |
16 October 1964 – 19 June 1970 | Mary Wilson | |
| Edward Heath Edward Heath Sir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party .... |
19 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | None | Edward Heath never married. |
| Harold Wilson Harold Wilson James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the... |
4 March 1974 – 5 April 1976 | Mary Wilson | |
| James Callaghan James Callaghan Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC , was a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980... |
5 April 1976 – 4 May 1979 | Audrey Callaghan | |
| Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990... |
4 May 1979 – 28 November 1990 | Denis Thatcher Denis Thatcher Major Sir Denis Thatcher, 1st Baronet, MBE, TD was a British businessman, and the husband of the former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. He was born in Lewisham, London, the elder child of a New Zealand-born British businessman, Thomas Herbert Thatcher, and his wife Kathleen, née Bird... |
First male spouse |
| John Major John Major Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997... |
28 November 1990 – 2 May 1997 | Norma Major Norma Major Dame Norma Christina Elizabeth Major, DBE , is the wife of Sir John Major, the former British Prime Minister.-Biography:... |
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| Tony Blair Tony Blair Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007... |
2 May 1997 – 27 June 2007 | Cherie Blair Cherie Blair Cherie Blair , known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is a British barrister working in the legal system of England and Wales. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; the couple have three sons and one daughter... |
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| Gordon Brown Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007... |
27 June 2007 – 11 May 2010 | Sarah Brown | |
| David Cameron David Cameron David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament .... |
11 May 2010 – Current | Samantha Cameron Samantha Cameron Samantha Gwendoline Cameron , often known simply as "Sam Cam", is a British business executive and wife of David Cameron, the current Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.... |
See also
- List of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom
- Spouse of the Prime Minister of AustraliaSpouse of the Prime Minister of AustraliaThe spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia is a position that until 24 June 2010 was occupied exclusively by women, thus the spouse was often known as the Prime Minister's wife....
- Spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada