Political WAGs lend some style to the NATO summit drama - including a Renee Zellweger lookalike, a VERY big spender and one First Gentleman

  • Turkish Prime Minister's wife  Emine Erdogan known for her lavish lifestyle
  • There was one man among their numbers, husband of Luxembourg PM
  • Norway's ambassador to Belgium is married to NATO Secretary General
  • Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron are best known among leaders' wives  

All eyes were on Theresa May and Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Germany today, but away from the drama the partners of some of the leaders provided a welcome distraction as they enjoyed a programme of cultural events.

The NATO WAGs, including Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron, led a charm offensive as they took part in the spouse programme, including a performance of music by Tchaikovsky, chocolate tasting and a fashion show by local designers.

The 11-strong posse of wives and girlfriends included a single male partner - Gauthier Destenay, who is married to Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

While Melania Trump is one of the most famous women in the world, her counterparts today are less well-known.  

Partner of Estonia's Prime Minister, Karin Ratas; Partner of Sweden's Prime Minister, Ulla Lofven, Partner of Slovenia's Prime Minister, Mojca Stropnik; Partner of Bulgaria's President, Desislava Radeva; First Lady of Turkey, Emine Gulbaran Erdogan; NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg's partner Ingrid Schulerud; Belgian Prime Minister Michel's partner Amelie Derbaudrenghien; First Lady of the US Melania Trump; First Lady of France Brigitte Macron; husband of Luxembourg's Prime Minister Gauthier Destenay and Partner of European Council President Malgorzata Tusk

Partner of Estonia's Prime Minister, Karin Ratas; Partner of Sweden's Prime Minister, Ulla Lofven, Partner of Slovenia's Prime Minister, Mojca Stropnik; Partner of Bulgaria's President, Desislava Radeva; First Lady of Turkey, Emine Gulbaran Erdogan; NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg's partner Ingrid Schulerud; Belgian Prime Minister Michel's partner Amelie Derbaudrenghien; First Lady of the US Melania Trump; First Lady of France Brigitte Macron; husband of Luxembourg's Prime Minister Gauthier Destenay and Partner of European Council President Malgorzata Tusk

GAUTHIER DESTENAY, LUXEMBOURG  

The husband of Luxembourg's gay Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has been mingling with the wives and girlfriends of other world leaders during the NATO conference.

Gauthier Destenay, a Belgian architect, who married his Prime Minister husband in 2015 was the only man among the group taking part in the spouse programme of events.

His husband became the first gay EU leader to enter into a same-sex union when the couple married in a low key ceremony three years ago.

Their wedding came just months after Luxembourg legalized same-sex marriage.

The husband of Luxembourg's gay Prime Minister Xavier Bettel chatting to Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron 

The husband of Luxembourg's gay Prime Minister Xavier Bettel chatting to Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron 

KARIN RATAS, ESTONIA

Karin is the wife of Estonian Jüri Ratas, who assumed office in 2016. 

The couple share three children, a daughter and two sons, and her husband has previously spoke proudly about the importance of his family.  

During on of his wife's pregnancies, he told the media: 'Certainly I will go to the birth. I think it's wise if a man supports his wife at that moment,' he said.  

His blonde wife is known to largely avoid the limelight, but has been compared by some websites to actress Renee Zellweger thanks to her short blonde hair and cheerful smile.  

Karin Ratas, left, is the wife of Estonia's Prime Minister and the couple share three children 

Karin Ratas, left, is the wife of Estonia's Prime Minister and the couple share three children 

ULLA LOFVEN, SWEDEN

The wife of the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, Ulla Löfven, also has a background in politics.

She first met the PM in 1992 when she was a trade union representative for Hägglunds & Söner, where he worked as a welder.

Although Ulla was married with two children when they met, she later divorced her first husband, marrying Stefan in 2003.

She worked as an assistant for the Social Democrats, her husband’s party, until he was elected its leader in 2012.

Tension between Theresa May and Donald Trump at NATO summit

Theresa May and Donald Trump smiled awkwardly for the cameras today as they met up at the NATO summit in Brussels.

The PM and the US president posed together despite his jibe that Britain is in 'turmoil' over Brexit and suggestion he will meet Boris Johnson when he comes to the UK.

Mr Trump has also been demanding the UK and other allies in the military alliance pump up spending on defence.

The leaders did their best to show the Special Relationship is still in good health, chatting and laughing together at the 'family photo' for leaders. 

But there was one toe-curling moment as they first encountered each other and Mr Trump put out his hand to shake - only for the PM to turn and introduce him to new Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

During an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today, US ambassador Woody Johnson left the door open for a possible meeting between Boris Johnson and Donald Trump during the US president's visit to London.

The ambassador said that while a meeting was not currently on Mr Trump's itinerary 'the President makes his own schedule', the day after the American leader said he may make time to meet his 'friend' the former foreign secretary.

A meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Johnson, who quit on Monday over Theresa May's Chequers Brexit deal, is likely to prove embarrassing for the Prime Minister as she attempts to assert control over the warring Conservative Party.

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MOJCA STROPNIK, SLOVENIA

Mojca Stropnia is the partner of Slovenia's Prime Minister Miro Cerar, with the pair only going public with their relationship last year.

Lawyer Mojca, 36, has admitted that she had long admired Mr Cerar before they began dating, keeping up with his television appearances and newspaper columns.

The Slovenian Prime Minister described how Mojca encouraged him to take up running, with the pair regularly going out jogging together.

The pair remained friends at first, before embarking upon a romance. The couple told their friends about their relationship in December 2016, before going public. 

Ulla Löfven, (LEFT) the wife of the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, worked as an assistant for the Social Democrats, her husband’s party, until he was elected its leader in 2012. Lawyer Mojca Stropnia (RIGHT) was revealed as the partner of Slovenia's Prime Minister Miro Cerar earlier this year 

Ulla Löfven, (LEFT) the wife of the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, worked as an assistant for the Social Democrats, her husband’s party, until he was elected its leader in 2012. Lawyer Mojca Stropnia (RIGHT) was revealed as the partner of Slovenia's Prime Minister Miro Cerar earlier this year 

DESISLAVA GENCHEVA, BULGARIA   

The wife of President Rumen Georgiev Radev was previously married to Bulgarian MP Georgi Svilenski.

They married two years ago after he split from his first wife, with whom he shares two children. 

She has a son Strahil Svilenski, who plays volleyball for Bulgaria. 

Desislave is a graduate of the University of Forestry, Sofia and GPAE Geo Milev, University of National and World Economy. 

Partner of Bulgaria's President Desislava Radeva is a graduate and mother-of-one

Partner of Bulgaria's President Desislava Radeva is a graduate and mother-of-one

EMINE GLUBARAN ERDOGAN

The wife of Turkey's Prime Minister claims to live a 'humble and modest' life with strict Muslim values, whiling away the hours in palace kitchen fermenting apples and turning them into vinegar.

However, she's known for her jet-set lifestyle, a whirlwind of one shopping trip after another where her particular passions are designer clothes and expensive antiques.

Her husband President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has amassed a £139million fortune with at least three palaces across Turkey, and his wife admitted to a love of specialist white tea at £1,500 a kilo, drinking it from gold leaf glasses worth £250 each.

She once closed down a shopping mall in Brussels to go on a designer shopping spree and while accompanying her husband on an official visit to Warsaw in Poland blew through more than £37,000 while browsing an antiques bazaar.  

Emine Erdogan (RIGHT), the wife of Turkey's Prime Minister is known for her love of luxury and fondness for shopipng sprees

Emine Erdogan (RIGHT), the wife of Turkey's Prime Minister is known for her love of luxury and fondness for shopipng sprees

INGRID SCHULERUD, NORWAY

Ingrid Schulerud is the wife of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the former Prime Minister of Norway, and the couple share a son and daughter.

Ingrid Schulerud (LEFT) is the wife of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and is Norway's ambassador to Belgium. Amélie Derbaudrenghien (RIGHT) is the partner of Belgium's Prime Minister

Ingrid Schulerud (LEFT) is the wife of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and is Norway's ambassador to Belgium. Amélie Derbaudrenghien (RIGHT) is the partner of Belgium's Prime Minister

The pair met when they were both 17 at the Oslo Cathedral School, where Ingrid beat him to  be elected as a representative to the National Students’ Union for the Socialist Left Party. 

She is now the Norwegian ambassador to Belgium. 

Her initial ambition was to work for developmental organisations, after being inspired by travels in Latin America, while studying for her Masters Degree.

However, she broke off from her studies to train for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after being asked to study the environmental impact of World Bank projects

She went on to become Deputy Director General for Central Europe and EEA-financing in Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Ingrid is currently the Norwegian ambassador to Belgium. 

AMELIE DERBAUDRENGHIEN, BELGIUM 

Amélie Derbaudrenghien is also involved in politics, working in the cabinet of Belgium's Budget Minister, Sophie Wilmès.

She and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel are extremely private about their relationship and they rarely make public appearances together. 

It's said that both actively dislike the term 'First Lady'.

One of the few times the Prime Minister has spoken publicly about his wife was to acknowledge the birth of their daughter Jeanne in January 2016. 

Amélie Derbaudrenghien (left) is also involved in politics, working in the cabinet of Belgium's Budget Minister, Sophie Wilmès

Amélie Derbaudrenghien (left) is also involved in politics, working in the cabinet of Belgium's Budget Minister, Sophie Wilmès

MELANIA TRUMP, US  

The wife of Donald Trump is certainly the most high profile partner among the NATO leaders. 

The Slovenian-born former model began her career in Milan and Paris before moving to New York in 1996. 

She married Donald Trump in 2005 and became a US citizen a year later.  

Prior to becoming First Lady, she launched her own jewellery and skincare lines, but is now focused on philanthropy, with veterans and sick children being causes close to her heart. 

She's known for her lavish wardrobe on overseas visits and is seen as Trump's crucial secret weapon for lending a softer counterpoint to his bombastic nature. 

Melania, wife of Donald Trump, is certainly the most high profile partner among the NATO leaders

Melania, wife of Donald Trump, is certainly the most high profile partner among the NATO leaders

Melania arriving at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo, Belgium, during a spouses program on the sidelines of the NATO summit

Melania arriving at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo, Belgium, during a spouses program on the sidelines of the NATO summit

BRIGITTE MACRON 

The wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, 65, is 25 years his senior and their relationship began when he was a teenager pupil at the private La Providence Lycée Catholic school where she was a teacher. 

She was from a wealthy family known for its cake business, had a successful banker husband and was a mother to three children.

But when she met Emmanuel for the first time - he was 14, she was 38 - her respectable life was about to be ended.

Mrs Macron has previously said the couple fell in love when Emmanuel was 15 - the age of consent in France - but their affair still scandalised their home town of Amiens. 

In 2015, the she gave up her career as a teacher at the prestigious Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, in Paris to support her husband as French president. 

Brigitte Macron, the wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, 65, is 25 years his senior

Brigitte Macron, the wife of French president Emmanuel Macron, 65, is 25 years his senior

MALGORZATA TUSK, POLAND 

Historian Małgorzata is married to the former Polish president Donald Tusk, who is President of the European Council. 

The pair married in 1978 after knowing each other for just three months, having met at the University of Gdańsk.

After graduation, Małgorzata worked as a historian and librarian and went on to have two children Michał and Katarzyna. 

In the '90s she co-ordinated a program for civil society for the Foundation for Local Democracy Development.

Donald Tusk's wife Malgorzata, a historian and mother-of-two, with the husband of Luxemburg's Prime Minister

Donald Tusk's wife Malgorzata, a historian and mother-of-two, with the husband of Luxemburg's Prime Minister

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