Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau (center) watches election results with wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau and children, Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien, at Liberal headquarters in Montreal, September 20, 2021. (PHOTO / AFP)

OTTAWA - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said he is focusing on his children and the future in the first comments he has made since announcing earlier this month he and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, were separating.

At the end of last week Trudeau returned from a vacation with his family and his wife in the Pacific province of British Columbia. On Aug 2 Trudeau's office said Trudeau and Sophie had signed a legal agreement to separate, but he had not previously spoken about it in public.

On Aug 2 Trudeau's office said Trudeau and Sophie had signed a legal agreement to separate, but he had not previously spoken about it in public

"I got a really good 10 days with the family to focus on the kids, to focus on being together and moving forward," Trudeau said.

ALSO READ: Justin and Sophie Trudeau separate after 18 years of marriage

When asked, he declined to say how he was feeling and would not elaborate on any details about the separation. He thanked those who had offered him support, and stressed the need for continued privacy.

READ MORE: Canada's Trudeau unveils major cabinet shuffle

"I really, really want to thank Canadians for having been so incredibly gracious and incredibly generous in respecting our privacy and our space," Trudeau added.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plays with children before an announcement at the Island Montessori Academy in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, Aug 21, 2023. (PHOTO / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP)

READ MORE: Trudeau to Taylor Swift: Come to Canada

Trudeau, 51, and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, 48, were married in May 2005 and have three children, Xavier aged 15, Ella-Grace, 14 and Hadrien, 9. The couple had talked frankly in the past about difficulties in their relationship and in recent years were seen less often together in public.