Anthony Albanese, who announced on Thursday that his partner accepted his marriage proposal on Valentine's Day, has become the first prime minister of Australia to become engaged while holding office.
He's been dating financial services worker Jodie Haydon for three years. Albanese claimed that after a romantic evening at an Italian restaurant, he proposed on the balcony of his official apartment, known as the Lodge, according to Australian media.
“She said yes,” Albanese posted with a love heart symbol on the X social media platform.
The former prime minister claimed to have organised the proposal's time and location and even contributed to the design of Haydon's diamond ring. However, he was unsure if the wedding would take place before he announced the date of Australia's upcoming election, which is scheduled for sometime in August or May of the following year.
“We’ll now have those discussions between us, which I think people would understand, and sort out those details, but we just want to live in the moment at this point,” Albanese told reporters at a brief news conference on a lawn outside the Lodge.
“It is such a joy to be able to share this news with people and it’s wonderful I found a partner who I want to spend the rest of my life with. Last night was a very great occasion here at the Lodge. We couldn’t be more happy,” he added.
Haydon thanked friends, family and strangers for their messages of congratulations. “It’s just been overwhelming, but beautiful,” Haydon said.
In Parliament, opposition leader Peter Dutton congratulated Albanese in a joking manner, alluding to their disagreements on King Charles III's continued succession as Australia's head of state.
Dutton is in favour of keeping the British king as Australia's head of state. Australia should become a republic with an Australian head of state, according to Albanese.
“We look forward to our version of the royal wedding some time in the near future,” Dutton said, prompting laughter from his colleagues.
“I’ll be there, throwing roses out in front of you, prime minister. Whatever it takes to get an invite to the gala wedding,” Dutton added.
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