The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese took time off his slated activities for the day on Wednesday, February 14, —Valentines Day— to propose to his partner, Jodie Haydon.
Albanese had joyfully announced the engagement on Thursday, February 15, with a post showing a selfie photo of the beaming couple with the caption “She said yes” on social media.
In the photo, Haydon could be seen wearing an engagement ring that her fiancée helped to design.
Albanese had said in a Thursday interview on Sky:
“It is such a joy to be able to find a partner who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
After a Valentine’s Day outing at an Italian restaurant, Albanese popped the question on a balcony at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Canberra.
The couple had initially met at an event in Melbourne in early 2020 and their engagement is the first time a prime minister is doing so while in office, according to local media reports.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who is usually a fiery critic had congratulated the couple in parliament, saying tha he looked forward to “our version” of the royal wedding.
Cabinet ministers had equally taken to social media to congratulate the couple.
Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, who has known Albanese for many years had commented: “Love is a beautiful thing” in the post.