Boris Johnson's Newborn Son Named After Two Doctors Who Treated U.K. Prime Minister for Coronavirus
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds have named their newborn son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, Symonds announced on Saturday.
The couple — who welcomed their baby boy on Wednesday — chose their son's name as a way to pay tribute to several family members as well as the doctors who helped Johnson, 55, during his fight against the novel coronavirus last month.
"Wilfred after Boris' grandfather, Lawrie after my grandfather, Nicholas after Dr. Nick Price and Dr. Nick Hart - the two doctors that saved Boris' life last month," Symonds shared on her private Instagram, according to CNN.
The 32-year-old went on to thank the maternity team at University College Hospital in London, whom she said, "looked after us so well."
"I couldn't be happier. My heart is full," she raved.
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Following the birth of baby Wilfred this week, a spokesperson for Johnson shared that the new parents and the baby were all doing very well.
The British politician announced in March he was engaged and expecting a child. A spokesperson for Johnson confirmed his wedding to Symonds at the time, telling The Telegraph: “The Prime Minister and Ms. Symonds are very pleased to announce their engagement and that they are expecting a baby in the early summer.”
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Johnson finalized his divorce from Marina Wheeler, 55, in February. The couple was married for 25 years before they announced their separation in September 2018, according to the BBC.
The exciting news for Johnson and Symonds comes just a few weeks after he was discharged from St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, where he spent 10 days battling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Johnson first revealed that he had tested positive for the deadly respiratory illness on Mach 27. After spending nine days of self-isolation in the prime ministerial apartment above No. 11 Downing Street, he was taken to St. Thomas’ after his condition “worsened,” his office said on April 6.
It is hard to find the words to express my debt to the NHS for saving my life.
The efforts of millions of people across this country to stay home are worth it. Together we will overcome this challenge, as we have overcome so many challenges in the past. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/HK7Ch8BMB5— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) April 12, 2020
RELATED: U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Discharged From Hospital Following Coronavirus Diagnosis
Later that day, Johnson was moved into intensive care. He remained awake and was never placed on a ventilator. Aides had described the ICU move as precautionary, in case ventilation was needed if Johnson’s case became more severe.
On April 9, the prime minister was transferred back to a regular hospital ward. Three days later, Johnson was discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
In a video message shared on his official Twitter account, Johnson thanked NHS staff for saving his life.
“I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question. It’s hard to find words to express my debut but before I come to that I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making,” he said on April 12, before extending a special mention to two nurses. “The reason in the end my body did start to get enough oxygen was because for every second of the night they were watching and they were thinking and they were caring and making the interventions I needed.”
Symonds — who was also struggling with symptoms of COVID-19 while pregnant —expressed similar sentiments on Twitter. “I cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough. The staff at St Thomas’ Hospital have been incredible. I will never, ever be able to repay you and I will never stop thanking you,” she wrote at the time. “There were times last week that were very dark indeed.”
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