Justin Trudeau announces separation from wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he and wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau are separating after 18 years of marriage. Trudeau made the announcement through a social media post Wednesday afternoon saying the couple made the decision after “many meaningful and difficult conversations”. The two were married in Montréal in 2005 and have three children together. The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Tuesday that the couple have signed a legal separation agreement and have worked to ensure “all legal and ethical steps“ in regards to the decision have be taken. The statement from Trudeau’s office emphasized that both parents will remain a “constant presence“ in their children’s lives and that Canadians can expect to still see the whole family together often. This marks the second time in history that a Canadian Prime Minister has announced a separation during their time in office. The first was Trudeau’s father Pierre Trudeau who separated from his wife Margaret while in office in 1979. The couple has asked for privacy at this time out of respect for their children.