NewsBite

Updated

Joe Biden hosts Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at lavish White House state dinner

The White House has thrown a lavish state dinner for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon but the pizzazz was toned down a notch in time of war. See photos.

PM Albanese arrives at the White House for private dinner with President Biden

A White House state dinner looks like something out of a fairytale – especially when it is held in honour of a kid from a public housing unit in Camperdown, New South Wales.

But Anthony Albanese still had one regret about the night he was feted by the leader of the free world.

“I’m not quite sure how I top this for date night with Jodie (Haydon) at any time, anywhere in the future,” the Prime Minister said, prompting laughter from the crowd.

“It’s all downhill from here, my darling.”

Australia’s ‘First Couple’ at the White House with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: AFP
Australia’s ‘First Couple’ at the White House with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: AFP

US President Joe Biden’s dinner on Wednesday night (local time) may have been the hottest ticket in town, but the biggest surprise was the Australians who weren’t on the 350-person guest list, rather than those wining and dining in a pavilion on the South Lawn.

No Margot Robbie, not even after Mr Albanese name-checked Barbie in a speech earlier in the day. Perhaps it was the Hollywood actors’ strike that kept her away, or more likely a desire to tone down the star power as war rages in Israel and Ukraine.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: AFP
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: AFP

No Anthony Pratt or Andrew Forrest, two of Australia’s richest men with major business interests in the US. No Arthur Sinodinos or Joe Hockey, two ex-ambassadors who have played a crucial role in boosting the US-Australia alliance.

The celebrity sightings were instead confined to Vance Joy and The Kid Laroi, although the White House managed to trick some observers by listing the singer by his real name (James Keogh) but not the rapper (Charlton Howard).

Joe Biden and Jill Biden walk to greet Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon. Picture: AFP
Joe Biden and Jill Biden walk to greet Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon. Picture: AFP
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at the North Portico of the White House. Picture: AFP
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at the North Portico of the White House. Picture: AFP
The presidential couple on the steps of the White House. Picture: AFP
The presidential couple on the steps of the White House. Picture: AFP

The Australian contingent ultimately served to support Mr Albanese’s political agenda, featuring both Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil and business association chiefs Innes Willox, Bran Black and Andrew McKellar.

Senior Australian of the Year Tom Calma – a key architect of the defeated Indigenous Voice to Parliament – was on hand after sharing a warm conversation with Mr Biden during the earlier arrival ceremony for the Prime Minister.


Caroline Kennedy, Ambassador of the United States to Australia and her husband Edwin Schlossberg arrive for the state dinner in honour of Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon. Picture: AFP
Caroline Kennedy, Ambassador of the United States to Australia and her husband Edwin Schlossberg arrive for the state dinner in honour of Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon. Picture: AFP
CEO of DreamWorks Animation Jeffrey Katzenberg, right, and founder and managing partner at WndrCo Sujay Jaswa arrive for the state dinner. Picture: AFP
CEO of DreamWorks Animation Jeffrey Katzenberg, right, and founder and managing partner at WndrCo Sujay Jaswa arrive for the state dinner. Picture: AFP
Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Kristin Cooper arrive for the state dinner in honour of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: AFP
Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Kristin Cooper arrive for the state dinner in honour of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: AFP
US-Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby Perlman at the White House. Picture: AFP
US-Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby Perlman at the White House. Picture: AFP
Washington power couple Alan and Susan Solomont arrive at the dinner. Picture: AFP
Washington power couple Alan and Susan Solomont arrive at the dinner. Picture: AFP

So was NRL supremo Peter V’landys, who worked the room spruiking next year’s Las Vegas season opener, as well as body image advocate and Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt.

On the American side, the President’s son Hunter was a notable absentee, having made an awkward appearance at the last White House state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just days after pleading guilty to tax and gun charges. His daughters Naomi, Finnegan and Maisy represented the broader Biden family on Wednesday.

Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt at the White House for the state dinner. Picture: Supplied
Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt at the White House for the state dinner. Picture: Supplied

But Mr Biden and Mr Albanese were the stars of the show, along with First Lady Jill Biden and Ms Haydon, who was dressed in a draped asymmetric tulle gown on loan from Australian designer Paolo Sebastian.

“We both did very well,” Mr Biden joked to Mr Albanese as the President and his wife greeted Australia’s first couple on the red carpet for the black tie dinner.

Actor John Leguizamo and wife Justine are also in attendance. Picture: AFP
Actor John Leguizamo and wife Justine are also in attendance. Picture: AFP

The guests feasted on roasted beet salad and butternut squash soup, sarsaparilla-braised short ribs, and a hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake for dessert, while US military bands provided the music after the plug was pulled on Love Shack hitmakers The B-52s.

In his toast, the half-Italian Mr Albanese seized on his shared Irish heritage with Mr Biden by quoting legendary poet William Butler Yeats, while the President dug out some advice from a manual given to 150,000 American troops based in Australia during World War II.

“You’ll find the Australians haven’t much respect for stuffed shirts – their own or anyone else’s,” the troops were advised.

US-Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby Perlman also made the guest list. Picture: AFP
US-Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby Perlman also made the guest list. Picture: AFP


Mr Biden said he had learned as much “becoming friends with the Prime Minister”.

“No wonder we get along so well,” he said.

But the fairytale did not even last until dessert. The President’s aides had to pull him away to brief him on an horrific mass shooting in Maine.

Paul McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the biotech company CSL was also invited. Picture: AFP
Paul McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the biotech company CSL was also invited. Picture: AFP
Guest Chef Katie Button will lead the all-female team. Picture: Getty Images
Guest Chef Katie Button will lead the all-female team. Picture: Getty Images
Renowned chef Katie Button, on right, with White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, has revealed the White House State dinner menu.
Renowned chef Katie Button, on right, with White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, has revealed the White House State dinner menu.
First Lady Jill Biden looks on during the Australian State Dinner media preview. Picture: Getty Images
First Lady Jill Biden looks on during the Australian State Dinner media preview. Picture: Getty Images
The exquisite White House place settings are a work of art. Picture: Getty Images
The exquisite White House place settings are a work of art. Picture: Getty Images
The main course of sarsaparilla-braised short ribs is displayed, Picture: Getty Images
The main course of sarsaparilla-braised short ribs is displayed, Picture: Getty Images
US President Joe Biden, Jodie Haydon, First Lady Jill Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoy a private dinner at the White House. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office
US President Joe Biden, Jodie Haydon, First Lady Jill Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoy a private dinner at the White House. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office
The Prime Minister at the White House. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office
The Prime Minister at the White House. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to welcome Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon, Picture: AFP
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive to welcome Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon, Picture: AFP
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: AFP
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Picture: AFP
The US President and First Lady show Jodie Haydon her position as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on before they pose for pictures at the South Portico of the White House. Picture: AFP
The US President and First Lady show Jodie Haydon her position as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks on before they pose for pictures at the South Portico of the White House. Picture: AFP
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Arlington National Cemetery where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and paid respects to two Australians who rest there. Picture: Instagram/AlboMP
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Arlington National Cemetery where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and paid respects to two Australians who rest there. Picture: Instagram/AlboMP

Originally published as Joe Biden hosts Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at lavish White House state dinner

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/business/companies/australias-plans-to-win-americas-trust/news-story/951570670f50d081895ee517901ea5f0