Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Makes History with In-Office Wedding at 62

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, aged 62, made history on Saturday by becoming the nation's first sitting leader to get married while holding office. He wed his partner Jodie Haydon in an intimate garden ceremony at The Lodge, his official residence in Canberra.

The jubilant Prime Minister shared a simple yet powerful message on social media, posting "Married" alongside a video showing him in a bow-tie holding hands with his radiant bride, who wore an elegant white gown, as they were showered with confetti.

In their joint statement, the couple expressed their happiness: "We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his congratulations to his "good friend" Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon via a post on X, wishing them a happy married life.

The wedding came more than a year after Albanese proposed on Valentine's Day 2024, when he declared he had found a partner "who I want to spend the rest of my life with."

The ceremony featured personalized vows written by the couple and was officiated by a celebrant. In a heartwarming touch, Albanese's cavoodle, Toto, served as the ring bearer for the occasion.

Following the exchange of vows, where guests enjoyed beer from a Sydney brewery, the newlyweds walked down the aisle to the uplifting sounds of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)."

The couple has planned a five-day honeymoon within Australia, scheduled to begin on Monday.

Albanese, who divorced his previous wife in 2019 and has an adult son named Nathan, met Haydon over five years ago during a business dinner in Melbourne.

The centre-left Labor Party leader secured his second three-year term in office following a landslide election victory in May this year. Albanese's political journey began during his high school years when he joined the Labor party, later becoming deeply involved in student politics at the University of Sydney.