Theresa May is to become the first British prime minister to feature on the cover of American Vogue.

The cover was orchestrated, in secret, by editor Anna Wintour. The cover shot of May was taken last week by esteemed photographer Annie Leibovitz at Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat.

May’s magazine spread will appear in the April edition of Vogue, which goes on sale in March.

While Margaret Thatcher appeared several time in British Vogue, May is the first prime minister to appear on the cover of the US edition of the fashion magazine.

May has been very open about her love of fashion and a recent article in Vogue praised her bold fashion choices, including leopard-print kitten heels and statement jewellery, saying she was already “pushing the boundaries of prime ministerial attire.”

Speaking on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2014, May chose a lifetime subscription to Vogue as her luxury item.

But May’s fashion choices have also landed her in hot water. A photoshoot for the Sunday Times magazine pictured her wearing designer leather trousers which cost a reported £995, which prompted criticism from Conservative MP Nicky Morgan, who said: “I don’t have leather trousers. I don’t think I’ve ever spent that much on anything apart from my wedding dress.”