In a landmark event for Australian political history, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married his partner Jodie Haydon during a private ceremony in the nation's capital.
A Historic First for Australian Leadership
Anthony Albanese has become the first Australian prime minister to celebrate a wedding while holding office, marking a significant personal and political milestone. The ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in Canberra, witnessed exclusively by close family and friends including the Prime Minister's son, Nathan, and Haydon's parents, Bill and Pauline.
The couple expressed their joy in a statement, with Albanese saying: "We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends."
From Chance Meeting to Wedding Bells
The couple's romance began over five years ago at a public function in Melbourne, where Haydon famously shouted "Up the Rabbitohs" during Albanese's speech - a reference to his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league team. Their connection deepened when Haydon initiated contact through social media, later joking that she had "slid into his DMs" after discovering their shared interests.
The relationship progressed through Covid-19 disruptions, with Haydon regularly accompanying Albanese to public events, overseas official travel, and during election campaigns. Despite being more media-shy than some political partners, she has embraced certain traditional roles as the prime minister's spouse, including serving as chief patron of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
An Intimate Celebration at The Lodge
Following the ceremony, guests attended a reception at the Prime Minister's official residence, the Lodge. The wedding timing came after the final sitting day of Australian parliament for 2025 and six months following Albanese's landslide re-election victory.
The romantic journey culminated in a Valentine's Day proposal in February 2024, when Albanese designed a bespoke engagement ring and proposed on the balcony of the Lodge after a dinner at a popular Canberra restaurant. In the lead-up to the wedding, Albanese admitted the couple hadn't found time to practice their first dance, but expressed confidence that the celebration would be "lovely" and a chance to express their love in front of family and friends.
Enhanced security measures were implemented for the wedding following recent threats against the Prime Minister's safety. Albanese had previously informed parliament about multiple arrests associated with security concerns regarding his protection.
The colonial revival-style Lodge, constructed in 1927 as a temporary prime ministerial residence, has undergone significant restoration and features large gardens and reception rooms that have hosted monarchs, presidents, and celebrities throughout its history.
