The resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the celebration surrounding his wife Carrie Johnson’s wedding marked a remarkable shift in public attention this year. The couple had previously tied the knot in Westminster Abbey during a quiet ceremony for about 30 guests, conducted at the height of the pandemic last year. That intimate event did not mean the end of the festivities; on Saturday, July 30, 2022, the pair staged a far larger celebration, signaling a return to a more visible public life.
Initial expectations had pointed to a reception at Checkers, the prime minister’s official country residence. Yet Johnson’s departure from office led to a shift in plans. The celebration ultimately took place in the Cotswolds, at the estate of Lord Bamford, a prominent Conservative donor. Lady Bamford and Carrie Johnson reportedly took part in the preparations, according to British media outlets.
The resignation also influenced the guest list. Among those absent was a former aide of the prime minister, who had been dismissed earlier in the summer after urging the cabinet chief to resign. Reports from The Sun and the Daily Mail suggested that other senior figures were not in attendance, including potential contenders for political leadership who had been close to the administration in previous years.
The outdoor party was hosted on the grounds of billionaire Lord Anthony Bamford, owner of JCB. The estate spans more than 600 hectares and includes a garden, a mansion, and an 18th-century greenhouse. A large pavilion had been prepared to host the guests as the celebration unfolded.
Around 200 attendees were photographed arriving at the event, with Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley Johnson, and his sister Rachel among the early arrivals. Other notable guests included a number of Conservative MPs as well as business figures linked to the party’s network, such as Nick Candy, husband of Australian actress Holly Valance.
As the evening unfolded, guests enjoyed a cocktail inspired by Negroni—gin, red vermouth, and Campari—an reportedly favorite drink of Carrie Johnson. The menu featured an African-style barbecue by Smoke & Braai, highlighting locally sourced, slow-cooked meats, tacos, barbacoa-style smoked lamb, South African Burvors sausages, and a traditional cereal salad. The dining concept was tied to a broader environmental ethos, which was echoed in choices for both the menu and the attire worn for the day.
Carrie Johnson appeared in a champagne-hued outfit crafted by designer Savannah Miller. The silk dress had a substantial price tag, but the bride reportedly rented it from Wardrobe HQ for a modest portion of that cost. The couple’s secret Westminster Abbey wedding the prior year also involved a rental dress from a Greek designer, showing a consistent approach to sustainable fashion choices throughout their celebrations.
The festivities were not without disruption. A Brexit opponent staged a brief protest outside the venue, displaying a sign that read Brexit is not working and a caricature portraying Boris Johnson as a Joker. Police intervened to manage the scene, and social media posts reported the protest as well as concerns about a nearby journalist who was temporarily detained. Authorities in the area did not provide further comment on the incident in question.
In a lighter moment, Boris Johnson shared a dance with his wife to the familiar tune Sweet Caroline, a song that carried personal significance for the couple as a nod to Carrie Johnson’s first name. The weekend of celebrations reflected a blend of formality and festivity as the couple navigated the changing political landscape and public scrutiny with a high-profile social event that drew attention across media outlets.