It may be autumn, but Marie-France van Heel hasn't let the change in season dull her sparkle.
The Marketing Executive wife of Prime Minister Andy Burnham was the lady in red on Thursday when she stepped out at Number 10 for a special Diwali celebration.
© Alamy Stock PhotoMarie-France chose a beautiful red polka-dot dress for the occasion, which saw her and her husband honour the festival of lights by lighting diyas and pledging closer relations with India.
"We are trying to bring the light back, bring the hope back, and positivity and unity," Andy told guests at the annual celebration.
© Alamy Stock PhotoAndy highlighted Diwali as an opportunity to recommit to collaboration and reinforce community ties. Citing the ceremonial flame as an emblem of harmony, adding: "I will do everything within my power to make it stronger and stronger."
Marie's dazzling details
Marie-France was a vision, her ice platinum blonde locks swept back into a neat updo as a mala - which is a beautiful floral garland you can see in the photos - was placed around her neck.
Marie-France added a pair of her large, trademark hoop earrings and her elegant glam was comprised of striking red lipstick, fluttery lashes and sunkissed bronzer.
The Cambridge alum's look was complete with a waist-cinching belt, giving the ensemble an Empire waistline.
Who is 'Cool girl' Marie-France?
Marie-France first met her future husband, Andy, while they were both undergraduates at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.
Her 'cool girl' status was cemented by an appearance on Cila Black's Blind Date while she was dating her future husband, but after her sister Claire died of breast cancer, she has kept away from the media, according to The Telegraph.
While friends Marie-France seldom talk about her to journalists, those who have have describe her as a beautiful, very gentle and highly intelligent" woman, who speaks three languages.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesThe outlet also reported that a close family friend said: "I think she sums up the line 'behind every successful man is a strong woman.' She stays out of the limelight, but is clearly Andy’s rock, who adores her kids. Fashionable, but extremely funny and personable. Marie-France is just one of us, no airs and graces. A people person."
Upon graduating from university, Marie-France went on to hold various marketing roles, including at Sky, and was part of a team responsible for creating logo designs for the BBC and England Rugby. She even created her own firm, MVH Marketing, but dissolved the company in 2011 after just three years.
© WireImageElsewhere, she has worked for campaign designer Heavenly, and later joined a Manchester-based electric vehicle charging network in 2024.
Marie-France currently sits on the board of humanitarian organisation Plan International, where she has worked with a number of charities, including Marie Curie, Alzheimer's Society and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
