Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and long-time partner Jodie Haydon have officially said “I do”, marrying this afternoon in an intimate and joy-filled ceremony at The Lodge. The occasion marks a warm moment in Australia’s history – the first time a prime minister has wed while in office, and the first marriage to take place at the nation’s official PM residence.
In a brief statement following the celebration, the newlyweds shared their delight: “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 ceremony was steeped in personal touches. The couple wrote their own vows, and both walked down the aisle to Ben Folds’ romantic ballad The Luckiest. Haydon, accompanied by her parents, wore a bespoke gown by Sydney fashion house Romance Was Born, while Albanese looked sharp in a suit by MJ Bale. Their beloved dog Toto proudly served as ring bearer – a moment sure to win the hearts of dog-loving Australians everywhere.
After the heartfelt “I do’s”, the couple exited to Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered – an upbeat soundtrack to the start of married life – and later planned to take their first dance to Frank Sinatra’s timeless The Way You Look Tonight.
A short Australian honeymoon awaits from Monday to Friday, before the pair returns to their busy roles on the national stage.
Albanese and Haydon first met at a business event in 2019, bonding over a shared passion for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Since then, Haydon has been a constant presence throughout the prime minister’s 2022 and 2025 election campaigns, and their partnership has quietly flourished. Albanese proposed on Valentine’s Day last year, becoming the first PM to get engaged during his term.
The couple kept their wedding plans closely guarded – partly for security reasons, but also to protect the deeply personal nature of the day. As the prime minister put it earlier this year:
“It’s not a political event. It’s an event between myself and Jodie.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Albanese has spoken lovingly about how he knew Haydon was the one:
“When it became clear to me that Jodie was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and that I couldn’t imagine a life without her, I made the decision.”
Before proposing, he sought the blessing of his son Nathan – a sign of the strong family bond at the heart of their story. Nathan gave his full support, and shares a warm relationship with his father’s new wife.
Today’s celebration was small, heartfelt and full of personal meaning – a reminder that even in the highest office, love remains beautifully simple.
Cheers to the happy couple – may this new chapter be filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of Rabbits wins.
Images: Instagram
