Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie separate

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau jointly announced on Wednesday that they will be separating, following “many meaningful and difficult conversations.”

“As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and continue to build,” the prime minister wrote in a statement on Instagram.

“For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy,” he added.

The separation comes after 18 years of marriage.

They have three children together: Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien.