The Canadian-born first lady of Iceland says her first three months on the job have been "a bit surreal," but the biggest challenge has been simply adapting to life in the public eye.
"I have to wash my hair every day now," Eliza Reid joked on Thursday, during an in-person interview with CTV's Your Morning. The Ottawa-area native says her style and her activities are under much greater scrutiny now that her husband, Gudni Johannesson, is president of Iceland. However, she says their positions are largely ceremonial, and the people of Iceland have "taken very kindly" to her as the first Canadian first lady in the country's history.
Reid also says the presidency hasn't greatly affected the couple's efforts to raise their four young children.
"If you can organize a family of six like that, then being the first lady isn't such a big deal," Reid said.
Reid's husband was a history professor at the University of Iceland before he was elected president in June, in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal that led the previous prime minister to resign. Johannesson became a popular candidate because of his on-air appearances as a commentator during the scandal.
"As a historian, one of his areas of expertise is the Icelandic presidency and its history, so people felt that he knew a lot about the institution and its limitations and its roles," Reid said. "In grassroots fashion, people started calling our house and saying, 'I saw Gudni on television and we really think that he should run for president.'"
Reid says it was a moment when "the stars had aligned" for her husband, who assumed office on Aug. 1.
The Johannesson-Reid family has not yet moved into the president's official residence. However, Reid says she is already very active in her role, which includes appearances at speaking engagements, opening ceremonies and other formal duties.
