Anthony Albanese proposes to Jodie Haydon after Valentine’s Day dinner in Canberra

Anthony Albanese personally designed Jodie Haydon’s diamond ring and asked for her hand after dinner and limoncello.

Jodie Haydon and Anthony Albanese on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

He finally got his yes.

Anthony Albanese has proposed marriage to his partner Jodie Haydon and “she said yes” to his surprise proposal after a ­Valentine’s Day dinner date.

“We are thrilled. It is such a joy to be able to share this news with people. And it’s wonderful that I’ve found a partner who I want to spend the rest of my life with. (Wednesday) night was a very great occasion here at The Lodge and we couldn’t be more happy,” the Prime Minister said, flanked by Ms Haydon outside the official prime ministerial residence.

“I just want to thank everybody for such a warm congratulations today from our friends to our family, from people we don’t know – it’s just been overwhelming but beautiful,” said Ms Haydon, who was dressed in a navy suit with brushed gold buttons.

The announcement came in the early hours of Thursday on Mr Albanese’s social media channels with a selfie photo of the couple with a beaming Ms Haydon resting her new rock on Mr Albanese’s chest with tears in her eyes.

The posts across Mr Albanese’s Instagram, X and Facebook accounts amassed more than 40,000 “likes” in less than an hour.

This will be Mr Albanese’s second time down the aisle. He was previously married to former NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt until 2019. The couple share one son, Nathan, 23.

This will be the first time an Australian prime minister will ­potentially be married while in ­office. All previous leaders, except former Labor leader Julia Gillard and the former Country Party’s John McEwen, had spouses.

Ms Haydon, 45, has never been married.

The couple will now plan their impending nuptials in private, a move welcomed by Labor strategists. “This cannot be Kyle Sandilands takes The Lodge. No celebrities and please no hashtags,” a former ALP minister told The Australian.

Another senior political strategist who wanted to remain anonymous said it’d be risky to hold the wedding before the election, which is due by May next year.

“It would be very wise for him to make sure this wedding is discreet, with family and friends, just like any other Australian. There should be strong avoidance in having the big end of town or any celebrities turning up,” they said.

Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon would not be drawn on when they will wed, but neither would rule out a pre-election wedding.

“It’s only been 24 hours,” Ms Haydon said.

The Labor leader said: “We’re living in the moment. I put a lot of planning and thought into everything from the date, obviously, Valentine’s Day, and the ring which I helped to design and where to do it. I asked on the balcony, or one of the balconies, here at The Lodge and we’ll now have those discussions between us.”

In a short break in the political trench warfare of the past sitting fortnight, Peter Dutton rose to congratulate Mr Albanese during question time on Thursday.

“I wish Jodie and you all the very best and we look forward to our version of the royal wedding,” the Opposition Leader said to cheers around the chamber. “I’ll be there throwing roses in front of you doing whatever I can to get an invite to the gala wedding.”

Griffith University associate professor of politics Paul Williams said the only way it would be injurious was if he had an extravagant wedding at a time when people were belt tightening.

“There may be some electoral benefit from it. It humanises the Prime Minister. Look at the warmth generated towards the royal family when there’s a royal wedding – republicanism drops,” Dr Williams said.

“If there is an electoral benefit, it’ll be small and brief because the electorate is looking at other things. There might be zero effect. Obviously, everything has to be done in his own time and at his own expense. The key is that it’s modest and privately funded.”

Veteran Labor strategist Bruce Hawker, managing director of Campaign and Communications Group, said it was natural people were interested in knowing more about their leaders’ personal lives but Mr Albanese’s engagement and impending wedding wouldn’t necessarily translate into greater or lesser political popularity.

“I believe that the next election will be determined on the political appeal of the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. It will come down to their competing agendas and visions for Australia,” Mr Hawker said.

He pointed to former British prime minister Boris Johnson’s wedding as an example of a leader being wed while in office.

Grahame Morris, chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard and chairman emeritus at Barton Deakin, noted Liberal leader Andrew Peacock married Margaret St George while in ­opposition but it didn’t help him win office.

He said Mr Albanese’s wedding could be a plus for him.

“It will fill a week of media stuff. It depends if there are awkward distractions like strange best man or a weird guest list, or snubs or poor behaviour or (the wedding being) too lavish,” Mr Morris said.

Ms Haydon has taken up the unofficial role of “political spouse” with aplomb since Mr Albanese assumed the top job in 2022.

She has successfully juggled a career in advocacy for women and in the financial sector while joining Mr Albanese on numerous international trips, summits and official visits, including Queen ­Elizabeth II’s funeral.

She has also been lauded for her support of Australian fashion since she was catapulted into the public eye. Her wardrobe now features many custom made pieces and designer dresses by labels like Carla Zampatti and Karen Gee which retail for more than $1200.

She regularly opts for bold, block colour ensembles like black, pinks and greens for photo opportunities with Mr Albanese and has a penchant for something sparkly on formal occasions.

For the US state dinner at the White House last year she chose a silver tulle, off-the-shoulder gown by South Australian label Paolo Sebastian. The

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at last October’s State Dinner at the North Portico of the White House.

Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at the Press Gallery Midwinter Ball 2023 at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

ensemble also had a hint of Australiana, with designer Paul Vasileff weaving in the crystal outlines of a kookaburra.

She accessorised with Cerrone, a jeweller based in Leichhardt, which is located in the Prime Minister’s Grayndler electorate.

She got a shout out from her ­betrothed during Mr Albanese’s speech in Washington where he said he had only one regret about dining with the Bidens. “I’m not quite sure how I top this for date night with Jodie, at any time, anywhere in the future. It’s all downhill from here, my darling,” he said.

Accounts on how the pair – who are both keen NRL fans – met vary. Ms Haydon took the very modern approach in 2020 by “sliding into his DMs (direct messages),” she said.

“He had a public profile and I didn’t, so I knew that we both followed the same footy team, we both had a love for the inner west and I think I said in that direct message ‘hey, we’re both single’.” Mr Albanese told The Australian Women’s Weekly that he was speaking at a Melbourne event when he spotted her in the crowd.

He said he asked if there were any South Sydney fans in the audience, to which “Jodie yelled out, ‘Up the Rabbitohs’ ”.

The couple, who have been official since 2021, were inundated with well wishes from fans, supporters and cabinet ministers including Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Transport Minister Catherine King.