byHenrik Lischke|Updated on20th July 2026 at 4.30pm
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The country has a new leader. As Andy Burnham is sworn in as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after being invited by King Charles III to form a government during an audience at Buckingham Palace, his wife Marie-France Van Heelsteps into a new public role. She follows Lady Victoria Starmer, Akshata Murty, Carrie Johnson and Samantha Cameron as the woman standing beside Britain’s most powerful political figure
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For her husband’s first day in office, the 56-year-old chose Victoria Beckham. It was a look that made its point without resorting to fanfare. Van Heel wore a pale blue, perhaps periwinkle, midi dress by the British designer with beaded slingback courts from Office and a shoulder bag, the latter which was carried into Buckingham Palace before being set aside for the photographs outside No 10. Two pairs of silver hoop earrings added a subtle edge, while the blue of the dress echoed the shade of Burnham’s tie.
Van Heel, who has been married to Burnham for 25 years, is no stranger to leadership herself. A marketing professional, she is Chief Customer Officer at Be.EV, the Octopus Energy Generation-backed electric vehicle charging company, according to her profile for Plan International UK. She has appeared alongside her husband before, though this is a different level of visibility. Every public appearance will now be dissected, not least her wardrobe
Choosing a British designer for this first moment matters. With the September London Fashion Weekschedule now announced, it also serves as a reminder that British fashion remains one of the country’s strongest creative exports, deserving of backing from those whose wardrobes attract worldwide attention
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Lady Victoria Starmer approached the role in much the same way, regularly wearing labels including Edeline Lee, Me + Em and Reiss, building a wardrobe that championed British brands without making the clothes the whole story
Van Heel has largely kept herself out of the spotlight, appearing only occasionally alongside Burnham, most recently during celebrations following his by-election victory. On that occasion she wore a lightweight polka-dot shirt left open over a black tank top, with cropped wide-leg trousers, platform Converse trainers, oversized square sunglasses and layered silver chains. And on the day of the announcement of Burnham has leader of the Labour Party, she wore a mint green lace dress and summery espadrille wedges. Both times struck a balance between ease and authority, hinting at what may become the signature of a new era in First Lady style.
1. Victoria Beckham, Edith Crepe Midi Dress
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Henrik Lischke is fashion news & features director at Grazia. Prior to that, he worked at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style
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