Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently wed Jodie Haydon at The Lodge in Canberra. The ceremony was attended only by family and friends and was tightly controlled. That close-knit wedding took place in a context of increased security anxiety. This event was an important moment in Australian political history, since Albanese is the first sitting prime minister to marry during their time in office.
The five-year partners announced their engagement in February 2024. We kept the whole ceremony under wraps to ensure the safety and privacy of our special guests. Cabinet ministers, their staff, CEOs and even actor Rhys Muldoon were among the close to 80 attendees.
A Charming Ceremony
The wedding was filled with personal touches, which showed just how tight-knit the couple’s relationship was. Ms. Haydon’s five-year-old niece, Ella, served as the flower girl, while Albanese’s beloved dog, Toto, had the honor of being the ring bearer.
Ahead of the main reveal, guests sampled a two-tiered wedding cake made by none other than Finance Minister Katy Gallagher. The couple’s first dance was to Frank Sinatra’s classic “The Way You Look Tonight,” setting a romantic tone for the evening. The reception party included really high energy musical performances set to the songs of artists including Beyonce, Jimmy Barnes and Pink.
“It was a pretty small, intimate wedding, and it was lovely to share that day with them.” – Katy Gallagher
Heartfelt Speeches
From loud laughter to tears, emotions were charged as family members and friends passed the microphone while sharing moving speeches. Jodie Haydon’s parents, Bill and Pauline, shared their thoughts on the couple’s journey together. Mr. Albanese’s son, Nathan, spoke to the crowd with an emotional and inspirational testament of support for the newlyweds.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr joined Albanese and Haydon on stage during the reception. Tears were flowing as their heartfelt speeches accurately reflected their love and dedication to each other. Haydon expressed her deep feelings with a poignant reflection:
“It was very scary, and in that moment, you realize just how much you love this person — the fear of losing them.” – Jodie Haydon
Guests cheered loudly for Ms. Haydon. Her fandom for the South Sydney Rabbitohs echoed across the room as she cheered, “Up the Rabbitohs!”
A New Chapter
As newlyweds, Albanese and Haydon are now going to take a five-day honeymoon at an as yet unspecified location within Australia. This summer will be a historic moment for them personally. It may mark the beginning of a new phase in Albanese’s political career.
Wedding public reaction has so far been thoroughly positive. David Littleproud expressed his well-wishes for the couple:
“Good on him and I wish him every happiness.” – David Littleproud
Commentators lauded the marriage for helping to humanize the young prime minister. One woman at Henson Park Hotel remarked,
“I think it shows that he’s human, that he has a life outside of politics and it’s really nice, it’s good to see.” – Woman at Henson Park Hotel
