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It’s not every day that there is a wedding at The Lodge.
In fact, until Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon tied the knot there on November 29, the site had never hosted such an occasion, with this being the first time an Australian Prime Minister has wed while in office.
Under a bright and sunny Canberra sky, the bride, 46, made her way down the grassy aisle at the official residence of the Prime Minister in a contemporary long-sleeved gown from Sydney’s Romance Was Born label, which was embroidered with Australian natives.
Carrying a bouquet of yellow roses, white orchids and eucalyptus leaves, the financial advisor was accompanied by her parents, Bill and Pauline, to the tune of Ben Folds’ song ‘The Luckiest’.
Having given his speech writer the day off, Albanese, 62, pledged vows that he’d prepared himself.
“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 newlyweds shared in a statement afterwards.
Who attended Anthony Albanese’s wedding?
The big day was an intimate affair with just 80 members of their families and close friends in attendance. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong also watched on.
While celebrities and foreign world leaders failed to make the cut, Anthony’s dog Toto was the ring bearer. The sweet cavoodle donned a white lace dress that matched with Haydon’s niece Ella, 5, who was her flower girl.
During their reception, the pair shared their first dance to Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight’. Anthony’s son Nathan, who he shares with ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt, gave a speech.
The couple is understood to have paid for the nuptials themselves. They spent the days following their “I do’s” honeymooning at an undisclosed location within Australia.
How did Anthony Albanese meet Jodie Haydon?
The fairytale romance between the pair started in 2020 when they met at a function and bonded over their love of the South Sydney Rugby League Club. Albanese told 60 Minutes she “had him at “‘up the Rabbitohs!’”
The PM proposed to Haydon on the balcony at the Lodge on Valentine’s Day in February 2024, with a bespoke ring from Nicola Cerrrone he designed for the occasion.
During their years together, Jodie has accompanied Anthony across the world.
Jodie was hosted at the White House by then US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. She was also a guest at the coronation of King Charles in 2023.
She also previously taken on roles associated with being the partner of the Prime Minister such as being the Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, which will now likely increase.
“Did I see my life panning out this way? Absolutely not,” she told 60 Minutes.
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