Andy Burnham’s wife Marie-France wears sleek £69 Karen Millen dress after stepping down from executive role

Continuing his action-packed visit to Liverpool, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his always stylish wife, Marie-France Van Heel, stepped out at the Labour Party Conference on Tuesday. 

Marie dressed for the occasion, showing support for the great British high street once again, donning an expensive-looking dress which came from Karen Millen. Originally priced at £229, the tailored number went down to £69 in the brand’s seasonal sale. 

Crafted from denim, it featured a structured wrap-style bodice that gave the impression of a fitted waistcoat, creating a sophisticated two-piece illusion. The asymmetric peplum hem gave the look a modern kick, and the shawl-inspired lapel collar hinted at a corporate vibe. 

The former marketing executive added Mary Jane high heels and styled her striking blonde mane ultra-straight. 

This is the second time in under a week that Marie has chosen high-street threads. At the weekend, the 56-year-old sported a simple, crisp-white shirt with a burgundy-toned, faux-leather pencil skirt which had a wrap-fronted waist detail, from high street store Next, costing just £46.

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Interestingly, she paired it with the famous ‘Return to Tiffany’ heart tag necklace, a sterling silver piece from the 2000s which was beloved by Millennials everywhere. Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle Woods, in Legally Blonde, catapulted this necklace into iconic territory when she wore it throughout the film.

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With the Y2K revival that’s exploded onto the fashion scene in recent years, you can now pick up the original necklace on resale sites, or head to Tiffany, where a brand-new version is available. 

Marie steps down from her marketing role 

Marie’s stylish week in wardrobe comes as the politician’s wife has stepped down from her marketing executive role to support her husband during his term as prime minister.

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Marie was the chief customer officer at the electric vehicle charging network company Be.EV. Last week, a Downing Street spokesperson said she had stepped away from the role. The spokesperson for No. 10 said: “Marie-France Van Heel has taken the decision to step down from her position as chief customer officer at Be.EV. She will continue to serve on the company’s board in an advisory role. The Prime Minister has already recused himself from any decisions relating to EV charging.”