Australia: The prime minister proposed to his partner on Valentine’s Day

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took a short break from governing the country yesterday to celebrate Valentine’s Day and take the opportunity to propose to his partner Jodie Haydon.

Albanese announced the news today with a selfie he posted to social media of the beaming couple with the caption: “She said yes.”

In the photo, Haydon was even wearing an engagement ring designed with Albanese’s input.

“It’s such a joy to be able to find a partner that you want to spend the rest of your life with,” Albanese said today in an interview with Sky.

After dinner at an Italian restaurant for Valentine’s Day, Albanese proposed to his sweetheart on the balcony of the Prime Minister’s official residence in Canberra.

She said yes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aU1Mk2WInH

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 14, 2024

Haydon, who worked in the pensions industry for many years, said she was overwhelmed by the congratulations the couple received.

“I want to thank everyone for such warm wishes today – from our friends to our family and from people we don’t know,” he told Sky.

The couple met at an event in Melbourne in early 2020 and their engagement is the first for a sitting prime minister, local media reported.

❤️💍 pic.twitter.com/jThfeCw3Eq

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 15, 2024

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, usually a fierce critic of the prime minister, congratulated the couple in parliament and said he was looking forward to “our version” of the royal wedding.

“I’ll be there throwing roses, there in front of you prime minister, I’ll do anything for an invitation to the wedding party,” he said.

Government ministers congratulated the couple through social networks. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who has known Albanese for decades, wrote on social media: “Love is a beautiful thing.”