A week after tying the knot, Arthur was attending another reception in Birmingham, England – but not on a romantic honeymoon.
According to a report in the Birmingham Mail this week, Arthur, who married Julie Price in a ceremony at Ilaro Court on August 12, flew to Britain six days later, with their six-year-old daughter Leah, to attend the Barbados Expo in London last weekend. It said he was due to fly back this week.
Arthur was given a VIP reception at Birmingham Council House by council leader Mike Whitby and leading figures from the African-Caribbean community, including Pastor Calvin Young from Aston Christian Centre. Later he met a group of Barbadians for dinner.
Speaking ahead of that reception, Arthur said: "We left Tony Blair behind in Barbados, enjoying his break away from the hurly-burly of British politics."
It added that the "golf-mad" Arthur said this was his second visit to Birmingham. His first trip was in 2002 when he watched Tiger Woods in action at the Ryder Cup, staged at the Belfry.
"It's marvellous to be in England again and Birmingham is a charming city. The last time I was in the Midlands was for the Ryder Cup in 2002 but I didn't have much time to see Birmingham. This trip was planned about a year ago, so it's not a honeymoon as such. This time I'm meeting Barbadian nationals who live here before we fly back home."
The Mail said Whitby met Arthur while he was holidaying in Barbados last month celebrating his 19th wedding anniversary.
"I holiday in Barbados all the time, but last month I was invited to attend the regional committee of Caribbean, American and Atlantic regions, which is where I met several heads of state and was able to open up relationships with Barbados and Caribbean states," he said.
"As far as I'm concerned the climate here is appealing to everybody and for a newly-wed prime minister to choose Birmingham for this trip is a reflection of how friendly and welcoming this city is."