Shaggy-haired Wilf steals show at BBQ
‘Angela Merkel cooed over the youngster’
THEY represent almost threefifths of the world’s net wealth, but the G7 leaders – and especially their partners – were last night overshadowed by a one-year-old.
Wilfred Johnson, the son of the Prime Minister and his wife Carrie, stole the show again as he made a brief appearance at a barbecue on the Cornish beach.
The leaders dined on a four-course beach menu of Cornish fare, including Curgurrell crab claws, seared moorland sirloin and Newlyn lobster, but attention was initially focused on Wilfred and his mop of blond hair.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel cooed over the toddler while Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, bent down to greet him.
Later, t he l eaders and t heir spouses stood together as the Red Arrows flew in formation over the sun-kissed party, leaving smoke trails behind them. The jets looped over Carbis Bay at about 8pm, with residents at nearby St Ives harbour cheering with delight. Mr Johnson later tweeted: ‘What a sight! Thank you to the incredible Red Arrows for an amazing show.’
The Prime Minister, clutching a pint of local Cornish ale, rocked back in laughter as the planes flew overhead, standing beside US President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, who was draped in an elegant blue shawl and holding a champagne flute.
Alongside her was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was drinking from a gin cocktail glass. All seemed rather convivial given the tense talks between the UK and EU over the Northern Ireland trade deal just hours earlier. Indeed, after posing together for photographs, Mr Michel tweeted: ‘Like-minded partners from around the world.’
Mrs Johnson wore a £295 Pandora dress by Damselfly London. The style is described as ‘ a modern shirt dress with a nod to the 1970s, with flounce sleeves’. She teamed it with gold kid leather Gucci horse bit snaffle loafers.
At one point the guests appeared briefly start led when am an carrying a bottle ran towards them, to douse the barbecue in flammable liquid, sending flames shooting skywards.
At 8.30pm, the G7 leaders gathered with invited guests for another family photo at Carbis Bay beach ahead of the barbecue dinner, cooked by Cornish chef Simon Stallard in an outdoor kitchen.
Jill Biden wore a butterfly print tea dress by US designer Brandon Maxwell, a label also previously chosen by the Duchess of Sussex.
As the leaders sipped wine, beer and ‘hedgerow fizz’ cocktail, they watched the sun set with baked brie, hot buttered rum and toasted marshmallows while gathered around firepits on the white sand.
While Wilfred – diplomatic mission complete – was taken off to bed, his father could reflect on a successful weekend.