UK's 'first lady' becoming celeb who is helping 'humanise' Rishi Sunak

2023-02-19

Operation Akshata is underway! UK’s ‘first lady’ is shedding her ‘shy’ label to become an Insta celeb who is helping to ‘humanise’ Rishi Sunak, experts claim

Akshata Murty being deployed to bring a personal touch to political encounters
Earlier this month, she was pictured laughing with children on visit to Cornwall
Images were uploaded to Instagram, which is likely to feature in coming months

She has kept a notably low profile since her husband became the Prime Minister.

But Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty seems to be finding her feet as the UK’s ‘first lady’ – deployed to bring a personal touch to political encounters.

Earlier this month the mother of two – who has been described as shy and reluctant to be the centre of attention – was pictured smiling and laughing with children on a visit to a family centre in Cornwall.

The pictures were later uploaded to her official Instagram account, which has only recently been set up and has just two posts, but is likely to feature far more in the coming months.

One source said: ‘She’s clearly leaning in – her Instagram is totally under the radar at the moment. She’s building a profile.’

She is said to be planning more appearances with her husband, including at an event to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of the month

She is said to be planning more appearances with her husband, including at an event to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of the month.

It is quite the turnaround for someone who was said to have shunned the spotlight, according to a profile in society bible Tatler.

Close associates told the magazine: ‘Akshata is a reserved, rather sweet, nerdy person and she has had a lot to get used to.’

Ms Murty has also played a key role in smoothing her husband’s relationship with his restive backbenchers. In recent weeks, he has mounted a ‘Chequers charm offensive’ to try to win over Tory MPs by inviting them to the grace-and-favour country retreat.

Mr Sunak is thought to have seen most of the parliamentary party at either the Buckinghamshire mansion or at Downing Street. Those in attendance at Chequers said his wife featured prominently at the breakfasts held for groups of around 50 at a time.

One Tory MP said: ‘She spent time with the MPs and was invested in proper conversations with them.’

Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty seems to be finding her feet as the UK’s ‘first lady

Another said: ‘She’s down to earth. Rishi has a reputation for being a technocrat, so anything that humanises him is no bad thing.’ Ms Murty also recently co-hosted an event with Susie Cleverly, wife of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Ms Cleverly has recently recovered from breast cancer.

‘She wants to be able to use her platform for good causes and to provide support,’ a source said.

Ms Murty has previously come under fire after it emerged that she held non-dom status and so did not pay UK tax on her earnings.

The heiress and her husband are also wealthier than the King, with a fortune estimated at £700 million, which has at times put them at odds with a public struggling with the cost of living.

Source: Read Full Article