Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Boris Johnson’s daughter Romy ‘badly’ hit with Covid at five weeks old

The prime minister cancelled a public appearance last week after Downing Street confirmed an unidentified family member tested positive for coronavirus.

Furvah Shah
Thursday 20 January 2022 10:52 GMT
Comments
Boris and Carrie Johnson’s daughter, Romy, is said to be ‘on the mend’ after suffering from Covid-19. (Jacob King/PA)
Boris and Carrie Johnson’s daughter, Romy, is said to be ‘on the mend’ after suffering from Covid-19. (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Boris Johnson’s six-week-old daughter was ‘badly hit’ by Covid-19, a source told the Daily Mail.

Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson, daughter of the Prime Minister and wife Carrie Johnson, is now said to be ‘on the mend’ after contracting the virus at five-weeks-old.

Last Thursday, Downing Street announced a family member of Mr Johnson had tested positive for coronavirus which the Daily Mail said was his newborn daughter, citing sources.

The PM cancelled a visit to Lancashire and did not appear in public for a few days following the announcement.

A spokesperson at the time said Mr Johnson would “follow the guidance for vaccinated close contacts, including daily testing and limiting contact with others.”

He then reappeared on Tuesday for an interview about parties held by Downing Street staff during Covid restrictions, and faced calls to resign after saying “nobody told” him the gatherings were against the rules.

Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson was born on December 9, 2021 and lives with her older brother, Wilfred, and parents in the flat above 11 Downing Street.

NHS guidance says that newborn babies are less likely to be at risk of becoming seriously unwell with the virus, but hygiene precautions are strongly recommended.

Mr Johnson himself also caught Covid-19 at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and became seriously ill, spending time in hospital.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in