Clare Drakeford, wife of Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died. 16 February 2023 A funeral has been held for the wife of Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said she is sending Mark Drakeford "love and strength" following the news that his wife, Clare, has died suddenly. Mr Drakeford has been the First Minister of Wales since 2018 - succeeding Carwyn Jones. Proud Mum, BSE Echocardiographer, @IPHPcardiff research lead, Lecturer in CV Physiology, Ape whisperer | Pikagi Mr Drakeford and his wife married in 1977 and had three children. Clare had been married to the Welsh Labour Leader since 1977. Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price send his condolence to Mr Drakeford, tweeting: "My heart is absolutely breaking for @PrifWeinidog after hearing of the sudden passing of his wife, Clare Drakeford. Retrieved 3 December 2020. My thoughts are with you and your family. Paying tribute to Clare today, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: "My thoughts are with the First Minister and his family at this very difficult time. The Prince and Princess of Wales have Tweeted: "Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. One person Tweeted: ''We are saddened to hear of the passing of Clare Drakeford and send our heartfelt condolences to her beloved husband, Mark Drakeford. Rishi Sunak later wrote on social media: "Incredibly sad to hear about the sudden death of Clare Drakeford. They have three children. The couple lived apart during much of the COVID pandemic, with Mr Drakeford staying in a building at the end of the couple's garden to allow him to carry on work while his wife remained at the house with his elderly mother-in-law, who was shielding. Mr Drakeford said they were in the top four vaccination priority groups "due to their conditions". A FUNERAL has been held for the wife of first minister Mark Drakeford. During the pandemic, the First Minister revealed that he was living in a separate building within the family home as he didn't want to pass on Covid to his wife or mother-in-law. Senior politicians have gathered in Cardiff for the funeral of Clare Drakeford. The Prince and Princess of Wales have also paid tribute, saying "sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family". The wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has confirmed. On behalf of the whole Labour party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family, he said. "On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family. "I know how close you were and there are no words to describe the pain you must be feeling. Im deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford.On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family. The 66-year-old had been married to the minister for 46 years and they had three children together 29th The 66-year-old had been married to the minister for 46 years and they had three children together. First Minister put up in five-star hotel in Qatar during World Cup. The meeting is held in a hybrid format, with some members in the Siambr Funeral held for first minister's wife Clare Drakeford after death at age 71. The pair had to live in separate homes to "keep her safe.". Inside the life of the Welsh First Ministers partner, Who is Mark Drakefords wife? Our deepest condolences to Mr Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, and his family. ", In a personal tweet on their official account, William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, wrote: "Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. ", Serena Williams stepmom's debts continue to spiral amid crumbling home battle, 'Glaring error' left 'habitual liar' Alex Murdaugh 'boxed in' during trial, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life after disgraced lawyer guilty of murder, Murdaugh sentenced to LIFE in prison after being found guilty of double murder, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Clare Drakeford passed away on January 28, 2023. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price send his condolence to Mr Drakeford, tweeting: "My heart is absolutely breaking for @PrifWeinidog after hearing of the sudden passing of his wife, Clare Drakeford. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has announced. Another former prime minister, Gordon Brown, said he was sorry to hear of Mrs Drakeford's death, adding: "She will be greatly missed. The grand Victorian building was built at a time when lord mayors needed accommodation. PRINCE William, Princess Kate and Boris Johnson have paid their respects after the tragic passing of Mark Drakeford's wife Clare. A Welsh Government spokesperson confirmed: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. Last year Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his Read our Clare Drakeford live blog below for the latest updates Our coverage of the Manchester Airport shutdown is now closed. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.". A Welsh Government spokesperson said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly. I know how committed Mark and Clare were to each other, Sunak tweeted. The pair had lived in separate homes in order to "keep her safe". In 2021, the Welsh Labour leader revealed that he had been separated from his "vulnerable" wife during the pandemic. Last year Mr Drakeford revealed he had been separated from his "vulnerable" wife for much of the pandemic. "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh Government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected.". He added: "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected.". Clare Buckle was a 66 year old woman. "On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family. My heartfelt condolences go out to them.. Burns Night 2022: Where was Robert Burns born, why is he celebrated? Tributes have been paid from many politicians since the news broke with Downing Street confirming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak passed on his deepest condolences to Mr Drakeford privately. Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central, said: "So shocked and so very sad at the news of Clare Drakeford's death. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. '', A third wrote: ''How very sad. Mr and Mrs Drakeford have three adult children and lived together in Pontcanna, Cardiff, for 30 years, Welsh politicians pay tribute to FM's late wife. The couple live in their family home in Cardiff, Walee, The 'essential' skill children should always be taught in schools, Who is Mark Drakefords wife? The mum-of-three was married to the W & C. During the pandemic, it was revealed Mr Drakeford was living in a building in his garden to keep his family safe, saying his wife and mother-in-law were "vulnerable". I cant imagine the pain Mark and his family will now be feeling.My heartfelt condolences go out to them. Leader of the Labour Party, Kier Starmer, tweeted: "Im deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford. On the occasions I met Clare, she was always a lovely lady and was very warm and kind. More info. "This is no longer the case and whilst it is used for civic and charitable events, becoming the home for the first minister would be a far more fitting role for it. While speaking on an ITV Wales podcast, the father of three said: It is a bit emotional. Mark Drakeford and his wife Clare married in 1977 and have three children together. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also sent his and his party's condolences, saying: "I know just how close they were as a couple, and I can only imagine the sense of loss Mark and the whole family are feeling. First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, had the support of his wife throughout his political career. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Mr Drakeford gave the public a heartfelt insight into the pairs loving relationship when he shared his emotional reunion with his wife after their time spent living so close, yet so far from one another. A Welsh government spokesperson said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the first minister. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," he said. Among those to pay their respects were the WebWales' First Minister and Leader of the Welsh Labour Mark Drakeford arrives with his wife Clare, to cast their vote for the locals elections, at St Catherines Church Hall polling station, in Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images ", Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, GMB's Kate Garraway reveals crippling cost of caring for her husband Derek, Stephen Bear 'broke behind bars' as his company is shut down before he's jailed, Mum identified after dead baby is found on heathland, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. The 66-year-old died suddenly today however her cause of death is not yet known. ", Adam Price, leader of Plaid Cymru, said his heart was "absolutely breaking" for Mr Drakeford, who is also the leader of Welsh Labour, while Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "I extend our deepest condolences to Mark, his family and friends.". First Minister Mark Drakeford's wife Clare has died suddenly. Jason, and Victoria Jones, landed their whopping 2.3milli The pair had three children together. Labour & Co-op MP for Lewisham East, Janet Daby, has joined hundreds of others in paying tribute to Clare Drakeford today. "On behalf of everyone in the Welsh Liberal Democrats, I extend our deepest condolences to Mark, his family and friends.". 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The family have lived in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff for 30 years. Ive been married for a very long time and not to be in the house and to be at a physical distance, even though we saw each other every day and talked every day, it was a puzzling experience in that sort of way and for that to be over it is a bit emotional for everybody., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning.