A historic moment unfolded in Canberra as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his partner Jodie Haydon, becoming the first leader in Australia to wed while in office.
The couple exchanged vows on Saturday, shortly after the final parliamentary session of the year. We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends, Albanese shared in a statement.
Engaged on Valentine's Day last year, the couple held both their proposal and the wedding reception at The Lodge, the Prime Minister's official residence.
The wedding was a well-kept secret due to security concerns, but it featured attendees including Haydon's parents and Albanese's son Nathan. There was also a touch of charm with the couple's dog, Toto, acting as the ring bearer, as they walked down the aisle to the tune of Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours).
Following the ceremony, a joyous video was posted on social media, showing the couple amidst showers of confetti.
Cabinet ministers were in attendance, highlighting the importance of the occasion. At the reception, the couple shared their first dance to Frank Sinatra's The Way You Look Tonight, while guests enjoyed custom-made beer cans featuring their engagement announcement.
The couple plans to honeymoon in Australia next week, although their original plans were scaled back following Albanese's re-election earlier this year. Albanese, aged 62, and Haydon, 47, initially met at a business dinner in 2020, with Haydon joining him on various occasions during his tenure, including notable events like the state dinner with former US President Joe Biden.
With their engagement announcement earlier stating that they were so lucky to have found each other, their wedding represents a new chapter in both their personal lives and the history of Australian leadership.
