The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and his wife, Gregoire, separated after 18 years of marriage.

The couple announced their separation on Instagram on Wednesday, following “meaningful and difficult conversations”.

The couple said they would remain “a close family with deep love and respect”.

They also asked for privacy for the “well-being” of their children.

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“We remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” Trudeau, 51, and Gregoire Trudeau, 48, said.

They were married in Montreal in 2005 and have three children together.

Trudeau’s office, in a statement, said while the couple had signed separation agreement they will still make public appearances.

“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,” the statement said, adding they would be on holiday as a family next week.

They have been seen together publicly less frequently in recent years, though they attended the coronation of King Charles III together in May and hosted U.S. President Joe Biden in Canada in March.

The two began dating in 2003, when Gregoire Trudeau was working as a TV personality.

She is also known for her charity work around mental health and eating disorders.

Trudeau was first elected Prime Minister in 2015.

The Star