Labour ministers, a former Prime Minister’s, a beloved TV presenter – and a very dashing royal aide – were among the eclectic guest list invited to the wedding of Tony Benn’s granddaughter.
Emily Benn beamed with delight as she tied the knot with her beau, Group RAF Captain James Niall Doyle, at St Margaret’s Church in London, on Saturday.
The couple’s stylish guests included newly-married Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, alongside his glamourous wife, Olivia.
Thompson, who now serves as King Charles‘ aide, first entered the limelight in 2022 for his role in royal public events following the late Queen’s death – and gained the nickname of the ‘hot equerry’ after videos of him went viral online.
Cherie Blair, wife of former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, Liz Kendall, the recently-appointed Science Secretary, and Health Minister Wes Streeting were also invited to the picturesque 12th century church, which is located within the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
Academic and broadcaster Mary Beard, sporting distinctive scarlet footwear, smiled as she made her way with fellow guests into the church.
They had all eagerly gathered to witness the marriage of Ms Benn, 35, who has more than followed in her family’s political footsteps.
The granddaughter of the late Labour firebrand Tony Benn was elected as a councillor in the City of London in 2022.
Emily Benn beamed as she arrived at the church with her father, Stephen, Viscount Stansgate
Newly-married Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, known as the ‘hot equerry’, and his glamourous wife, Olivia, were among the guests at Emily Benn’s wedding on Saturday
Cherie Blair, wife of former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, and TV presenter Mary Beard – wearing very distinctive red footwear – smiled as they made their way into the church
Ms Benn, standing as an independent, has represented her Bread Street ward since then, having previously been elected as a Croydon councillor, under the Labour party, in 2014.
Her interest in politics has continued a dynasty dating back more than 100 years – and made her the fifth generation of her family to serve the nation.
Ms Benn’s uncle, Hilary, is the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
Grandfather Tony Benn, who died in 2014 aged 88, was first elected as an MP in 1950 and stood down in 2001.
Health Minister Wes Streeting was also invited to the picturesque 12th century church
Ms Benn’s uncle, Hilary, who is the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government
Emily Benn with her beau, Group RAF Captain James Niall Doyle, at St Margaret’s Church
Over his career, he had served in Harold Wilson’s Cabinet and stood unsuccessfully to become Labour’s deputy leader in 1981.
Great-grandfather William Wedgwood Benn was elected as a Liberal MP in 1906, serving in the Asquith government, before he quit in 1927 to join the Labour party, later sitting in the Cabinet of Ramsay Macdonald.
Her great-great-grandfather, Sir John Williams Benn, was a Liberal MP from 1892 to 1895 and again from 1904 to 1910.
Another great-great-grandfather, Daniel Homes, was a Labour MP from 1911 to 1918.
