Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire are separating after 18 years of marriage.

Trudeau, 52, shared the news on Wednesday in a post published in both English and French on Instagram, writing: “Hi everyone, Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversation, we have made the decision to separate. As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build. For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy. Thank you.”. Sophie shared the same statement on her social media accounts.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s office confirmed the news in a statement, sharing that the couple have “signed a legal separation agreement. They have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward. They remain a close family and Sophie and the Prime Minister are focused on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment. Both parents will be a constant presence in their children’s lives and Canadians can expect to often see the family together. The family will be together on vacation, beginning next week.” The couple share three children — 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace and 9-year-old Hadrien.

Trudeau and Grégoire met as children in Montreal, where Grégoire was a classmate and friend of the Trudeau’s brother, Michel.  They reconnected in 2003, when Grégoire, a television personality in Quebec, was given the job as Trudeau’s co-host for a charity ball.  They began dating, and in October 2004 they became engaged. The couple tied the knot on May 28, 2005 at Montreal’s Sainte-Madeleine d’Outremont Church.

Trudeau was elected as a Liberal member of Parliament in 2008, going on to become party leader and assuming the office of Prime Minister on November 4, 2015.

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