Carrie Symonds: Britain's new 'first girlfriend'

Boris Johnson will enter Downing Street as British prime minister for the first time on Wednesday amid speculation over whether his far younger girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, will accompany him.

Twice-married Johnson, 55 -- declared the Conservative Party's new leader on Tuesday and now set to be confirmed as premier by Queen Elizabeth II -- is dating the party's 31-year-old former director of communications.

Symonds is an avid environmental campaigner and previously worked on his re-election campaign as London mayor in 2012.

The two have been a public, but largely discreet, couple since the serial philanderer split last year from his wife of 26 years.

In the run-up to Johnson's takeover, British newspapers have been rife with rumours over Symonds' future role as the nation's "first girlfriend" and whether she will also live at his 10 Downing Street headquarters.

He refused to discuss the matter on several occasions during the campaign, telling party members last week: "I just don't talk about people I love."