Wife of Wales’s First Minister dies aged 66

TRIBUTES were paid last night to Clare Drakeford, the wife of Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford, who died suddenly aged 66.

Her husband, 68, became First Minister of Wales in 2018. During the pandemic, he moved into a building in his garden to protect his wife, who he said had been shielding.

The couple had been married for 45 years and had three children.

The tributes were led by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who posted a message saying: ‘Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family. W & C.’ The Prince will write a personal letter of condolence to Mr Drakeford.

Downing Street said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had passed on his condolences. In a social media message he wrote: ‘Incredibly sad... I know how committed Mark and Clare were to each other.’ Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news.