In a historic moment for Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon have exchanged vows, becoming the first sitting Prime Minister of the country to marry while in office.
The ceremony, held on a picturesque Saturday at The Lodge in Canberra, featured the bride in a stunning long-sleeved white gown complemented by a delicate veil. The joyful occasion was blessed with clear blue skies, providing a perfect backdrop for the celebration.
Among the esteemed guests were key figures from Albanese’s inner circle, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Health Minister Mark Butler, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, all gathered to witness the significant event.
Jodie Haydon made her entrance down the aisle to the heartfelt tune of Ben Folds’ “The Luckiest,” escorted by her parents, Bill and Pauline Haydon.
In a heartfelt joint statement, the couple expressed their happiness: “We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends.”
The Lodge holds special memories for the couple, as it was here, on its balcony, that they became engaged on Valentine’s Day 2024 following a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant. This venue further adds to the sentimental value of their wedding day.
Ms Haydon is an executive for Teachers Mutual Bank, and has previously said her new husband was extremely supportive of her high-profile role.
During his first-term in office, Albanese planned the date, the place of the proposal and even helped design Ms Haydon’s diamond ring – a custom piece by Cerrone Jewellers at Leichhardt, in the heart of his electorate.
He asked his son Nathan, 24 – whom he shares with ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt, a former NSW deputy premier – for his blessing before popping the question.
Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon tie the knot at The Lodge in Canberra
Albanese’s son, Nathan, is seen back left smiling as his father marries Ms Haydon
Ms Haydon enjoys a champage after the ceremony
The happy couple
Albanese and Ms Haydon sign their marriage certificate
Ms Haydon holds Albanese’s hand after tying the knot
Albanese pictured with his son, Nathan. The PM’s dog Toto was on hand to celebrate the big day
Flowergirl Ella takes Toto for a stroll
‘I respect him and have a good relationship with him, and with his mother. So I asked him to think about it… and he was supportive. He wants me to be happy, and Nathan and Jodie have a really nice relationship as well,’ he said at the time.
The couple first met at a conference in Melbourne in 2020 when Albanese was the opposition leader and Scott Morrison was prime minister.
Ahead of the wedding, the couple dismissed several rumours about their nuptials.
In October, they spent a week soaking up the sun on the island of Palau in Micronesia, a paradise known for its stunning coral reefs.
The relaxed vibe and seven-day media blackout requested by the PM’s office led to speculation that the pair may have had a small ceremony there.
In February, Haydon previously teased plans for a wedding ‘before the year is out’ in an interview with Australian Women’s Weekly.
They said their dream day would be ‘small, intimate… possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones’.
The couple also shared how challenges of the top job affected their relationship.
Ms Haydon wore a long-sleeved dress and veil
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his wife, Laura, at the wedding
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, front, with Jim and Laura Chalmers
Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Health Minister Mark Butler and his wife Daniela
Guests at the wedding
Ms Haydon is helped by guests as the couple’s dog Toto watches on
Albanese is pictured on the morning of his wedding
The newlyweds enjoy a special beveridge
They agreed that frequent travel away or long hours spent at work were not far removed from what shift workers or those in FIFO jobs had to deal with.
The couple said they ‘made the most of their time together’ when their work commitments allowed.
Albanese met Ms Haydon we he asked if there were any South Sydney NRL fans in the audience, at which she yelled out the team’s catch cry of ‘up the Rabbitohs’.
He later introduced himself and they decided to go for a drink when they were back in Sydney.
He wooed her with a night out at the Young Henrys brewery in Newtown.
The following year he was seriously injured in a car crash when a Range Rover crossed onto the wrong side of the road and smashed into his car in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville.
Ms Haydon got a call and raced to the scene to see the car written off, but Albanese alive.
‘I saw the mess of a car before I saw him and thought ‘he couldn’t survive this’,’ she said.
Albanese designed Ms Haydon’s diamond ring, which is a custom piece by Cerrone Jewellers in Leichhardt, located in the heart of his electorate
‘It was very scary, and in that moment, you realise just how much you love this person – the fear of losing them.
‘As I jumped in the ambulance and saw Anthony, I knew then the depth of my feelings towards him.’
