Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford says weeks since wife’s death have been ‘incredibly difficult’

Mark Drakeford has said that “the last few weeks have been incredibly difficult” after the sudden death of his wife, Clare.

Wales’s first minister added he was “grateful” for the “many kind words of support” received by well-wishers.

Clare Drakeford died in January aged 71, and had been married to the first minister for over 45 years, and had three children.

Her funeral was held in Cardiff on Thursday, with those in attendance including Elin Jones, the Senedd’s Llywydd (presiding officer), and Carwyn Jones, Mr Drakeford’s predecessor as first minister.

On Thursday, Mr Drakeford, who has been Wales’s first minister since 2018, shared a black and white picture of himself alongside his late wife.

In September, the couple attended Queen Elizabeth’s funeral together at Westminster Abbey.

During the pandemic, the first minister said he lived in a “miniature hut” in his garden for a period to protect his shielding wife and mother-in-law from COVID-19.

Read more from Sky News:
Nicola Sturgeon resigns: Who will replace her?
Strikes back on in Wales after pay offer rejected
Corbyn accuses Starmer of ‘flagrant attack’ on his future

A statement from the Welsh government at the time of Ms Drakeford’s passing said: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister.

“The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected.”

Tributes came from across the political divide in Wales, including from Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, who described her as “a lovely lady and was very warm and kind”.