Charlotte Owen and Boris Johnson have become interlinked in recent media coverage and public discussion.
Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, shares a family connection with Charlotte Owen.
No, there is no evidence that Kathryn Owen is the biological daughter of Boris Johnson. She is connected to Boris Johnson through family, but he is not identified as her father.
While the exact nature of their relationship remains ambiguous, various media outlets have portrayed Owen as a “close friend” to Johnson.
This sparked particular interest after Owen’s appointment to the House of Lords at the young age of 30, making her Britain’s youngest peer.
Background of Charlotte Owen
Early Life and Upbringing
Charlotte Owen was born in 1982 to parents Kathryn L Grantham and Michael Tranter-Owen in the United Kingdom. Her full name is Charlotte Kathryn Tranter Owen.
She grew up in the town of Alderley Edge located in Cheshire, England, and attended the prestigious Alderley Edge School for Girls, a private all-girls school in the area.
Education and Early Career of Charlotte Owen
After completing her schooling at the Alderley Edge School for Girls, Owen went on to pursue higher education at the University of York.
In 2015, she graduated with an upper second-class honors degree in politics and international relations.
During her time at university, Owen gained some of her first political experience by interning for Chancellor George Osborne for one year from 2011 to 2012.
After graduating, Owen worked briefly in Brussels for Conservative Member of the European Parliament Jacqueline Foster in 2015.
She also spent four months interning at the strategic communications firm Portland Communications in 2016.
Work in British Politics
Owen’s career in British politics began in 2017 when she worked as a one-month constituency intern for Conservative MP William Wragg. This was followed by a six-month stint as a parliamentary intern for Boris Johnson.
From 2017 to 2021, Owen worked her way up serving as a parliamentary assistant for MPs Alok Sharma, Jake Berry, and Boris Johnson.
She then exclusively worked with Johnson for 14 months before joining his policy team at 10 Downing Street as a special adviser in February 2021.
Owen continued as a Downing Street aide under Prime Minister Liz Truss in 2022. She worked closely with the chief whip during this period before leaving her role when Rishi Sunak became prime minister in October 2022.
Charlotte Owen – Boris Johnson Relationship
Family Ties
Charlotte Owen’s mother, Kathryn Owen, is connected to the Johnson family. This makes Charlotte Owen connected to Boris Johnson through family.
Rumors of a Close Friendship
In 2022, rumors began circulating in the British press about a close personal friendship between Johnson and Owen.
Tabloids like the Daily Mail claimed they had been spotted together on numerous occasions, fueling speculation about the true nature of their relationship.
While no romantic relationship has been confirmed, their documented personal history and Owen’s roles working for Johnson have fed rumors that they share a close bond beyond just professional ties.
An Association of International Interest
The relationship between Boris Johnson and Charlotte Owen has garnered attention not just in the British press, but internationally as well.
In 2022, the prominent French newspaper Le Monde published an article describing Owen as a “close friend” of Johnson.
The coverage in Le Monde highlighted how their association is seen as intriguing and suspicious beyond just the United Kingdom.
Commentary and Public Speculation
In light of the rumors and family connection, several public figures have commented on the relationship between Johnson and Owen.
Some like comedian Romesh Ranganathan have jokingly called them “the perfect couple.”
Meanwhile, others including actor Laurence Fox have been more critical of Johnson, questioning whether he is fit to serve in high office given the questionable optics of his connection to Owen.
In the public sphere, opinion seems divided.
While some believe they share an innocent friendship, others see signs of cronyism or inappropriate conduct in their documented association over the years.
This has fueled ongoing speculation and commentary around the true nature of their relationship.
Controversy and Criticism Over the Appointment of Charlotte Owen
Questions Over Qualifications for Peerage
Boris Johnson’s decision to nominate Charlotte Owen for a life peerage in the House of Lords has sparked controversy and criticism from several quarters.
Owen’s relatively junior positions in government and lack of major policy or political accomplishments have led many to question whether she is properly qualified to receive one of the highest honors in British public life.
Critics argue that Owen’s career history of short-term junior roles does not sufficiently demonstrate the level of service and distinction typically associated with recipients of peerages.
Accusations of Exaggerated Work History
There have also been direct accusations that Owen exaggerated aspects of her work history and tenure in Downing Street in the lead-up to her nomination.
Owen claimed on her LinkedIn profile that she served as a special adviser from February 2021 to October 2022.
However, official government records show that she was not listed as a special adviser in 2021. This has led to charges that she overstated her time and position within Number 10.
The “Most Junior” Peerage Appointment
Comments from unnamed government officials have described Owen as the “most junior” person nominated for a life peerage in Johnson’s resignation honors list.
They have called the appointment “completely mad”, “impossible to defend”, and “one of the most strange and hardest to explain” nominations.
Such remarks reinforce the view that Owen lacked the seniority and policy experience typically associated with recipients of this rare honor.
Claims of Sexism
Some supporters of Charlotte Owen, including Conservative MP James Duddridge, have charged that some of the criticism directed at her contains sexist elements.
They argue that similarly, junior male nominees have not faced the same backlash and scrutiny as Owen and that her gender is linked to the harsh critiques of her qualifications.
However, others dispute that sexism is a major factor in the wider controversy.
Accusations of Cronyism
Finally, opposition parties and other critics have tied the appointment of Owen and other Johnson allies to wider allegations of “cronyism” in his resignation honors.
They argue it represents the former PM awarding peerages not on merit but out of personal loyalty or favoritism, further undermining public trust.
Charlotte Owen Becomes Youngest Member of House of Lords
Despite the controversy surrounding her appointment, Charlotte Owen officially joined the House of Lords in July 2023.
Swearing-In Ceremony of Charlotte Owen
On July 24, 2023, Owen formally entered the House of Lords. She took the oath of allegiance to King Charles III during a swearing-in ceremony attended by fellow new peers.
Owen wore the traditional ceremonial scarlet robes representing her status as a life peer appointed by the monarch.
Part of Johnson’s Resignation Honors
Owen’s elevation to the peerage came as part of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation honors list.
Along with six other Johnson allies and former aides, Owen was nominated for a life peerage by Johnson shortly before his resignation from 10 Downing Street in July 2022.
Youngest Member of the Lords
Upon joining the House of Lords at age 30, Charlotte Owen instantly became the youngest sitting member of the chamber.
Most peers are over the age of 70 when they receive their appointments. Owen’s age of just 30 makes her an outlier historically.
Conservative Affiliation
As a member nominated by the former Conservative Prime Minister, Owen sits in the Lords as a Conservative peer.
She holds the title of Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge, representing her hometown area.
Owen’s presence expands the Conservative Party’s representation in the upper house of Parliament.
So while the circumstances of her appointment were unconventional and contentious, Charlotte Owen has cemented her place in the history books as the youngest life peer in the House of Lords.
The Public Response
Charlotte Owen’s appointment to the House of Lords as the youngest-ever life peer has elicited divided public reactions.
Mixed Opinions on Charlotte Owen – Boris Johnson Relationship
In terms of their personal relationship, some members of the British public see Johnson and Owen as close but innocuous friends.
Others read suspicious intentions into their documented interactions over the years, believing it to represent cronyism or inappropriate conduct between a senior politician and a young subordinate.
This split perception mirrors the ongoing debate in the media over the exact nature of the Charlotte Owen – Boris Johnson connection.
Contrasting Takes on Qualifications
Similarly, public commentary on Owen’s qualifications for her peerage remains mixed.
Some express bafflement at a 30-year-old junior aide being granted such an honor, while others argue that age should not be a limiting factor for capable young people making public contributions.
Accusations of Cronyism
There is wider agreement among opposition voices that Johnson’s peerage appointments represent cronyism and favors loyalty.
However, Conservative supporters maintain it is the prerogative of PMs to nominate allies to the Lords upon resignation.
Uncertain Public Impact
With her swearing-in now complete, the ultimate public perception of Charlotte Owen may depend on her conduct and record as a new young member of the House of Lords.
Her political influence and value as a peer have yet to be demonstrated and judged by the British people.
So Charlotte Owen remains a polarizing figure – lauded by some as a young rising talent and critiqued by others as undeserving of an honor bestowed out of political nepotism.
Conclusion
The relationship between former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and political aide Charlotte Owen has drawn significant public attention and speculation.
While they share a connection through Owen’s mother’s marriage to Johnson’s ex-wife, rumors of a close personal friendship have swirled for years.
Owen’s appointment as the youngest life peer in the House of Lords at age 30 by Johnson’s request has only intensified interest and controversy around their association.
While some see it as rewarding a loyal young talent, others decry apparent cronyism and favoritism by the former PM.
Owen now faces the challenge of proving herself capable in her new role, as public perceptions remain divided on her rapid political ascent thanks to her ally Boris Johnson.
Their curious connection will likely continue sparking debate as her parliamentary career begins.
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