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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Danya Bazaraa

How divorcee Boris Johnson was able to marry Carrie Symonds in a Catholic church

Boris Johnson have tied the knot with fiancee Carrie Symonds this weekend - marking his third time down the aisle.

The Prime Minister, 56, exchanged vows with his 33-year-old partner in front of a select group of friends and family at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

The couple have son Wilfred, one, together and were engaged after he popped the question on a holiday to Mustique in 2019, a trip still under scrutiny over who paid for it.

But how was the previously divorced Prime Minister able to get married in a Catholic church?

The Catholic church does not allow people who have been divorced to get married in its churches.

Crucially Boris Johnson is said to have been baptised as Catholic.

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds are yet to speak out about the marriage (REUTERS)

Downing Street falls within the cathedral's parish and to be able to marry in a Catholic church, the PM could have had his previous two marriages recognised as annulled.

But sources have speculated that by not having Catholic ceremonies for his previous weddings, they could have been considered as invalid, the Telegraph reports.

Catholic author and broadcaster Catherine Pepinster has also offered an explanation as to how the PM could have got married in a Catholic church.

The couple have been engaged since December 2019 (Getty Images)

She told the Mail on Sunday as Mr Johnson's previous marriages were not in Catholic settings, the church did not recognise them.

"As far as the church is concerned, this is his first marriage," she said.

"They don't need to be annulled.

"They didn't happen, according to Roman Catholic canon law."

Guests are believed to have been invited at the last minute to the ceremony, with even senior members of Mr Johnson's office said to be unaware of the wedding plans.

The PM exchanged vows with his 33-year-old partner in front of a select group of friends and family at Westminster Cathedral (file photo) (NurPhoto via Getty Images)
People carrying musical instruments leaving 10 Downing Street (PA)

The couple have been engaged since December 2019 and have a son, named Wilfred, together.

They opted to hold the ceremony today in spite of Covid regulations - in place until at least June 21 - limiting the number of guests to just 30.

Their relationship became public just months after Mr Johnson separated from second wife Marina Wheeler in 2018.

He and Ms Wheeler have four children together.

His first marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen was annulled in 1993.

Number 10 last night refused to comment about the reported marriage when contacted by The Mirror.

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