‘You have my heart': Anthony Albanese's heartfelt message to fiancee Jodie Haydon
For 15 months, two dates have been looming over Albanese's head: the federal election, and his wedding to Jodie Haydon.
Although the former's May 3 calendar note has been and gone, it's unlikely the prime minister will confirm when, exactly, he will be tying the knot . The outcome of Australia's decision has logistical implications – venue choice, among other details, has been a popular debate item – for any plans, existing or otherwise.
Not that the couple has spent much time planning their big day recently. In fact, Albanese divulged in March he and Haydon, 46, had seriously considered eloping on Valentine's Day this year – exactly one year after their engagement – just to put an end to the perpetual speculation over anything and everything to do with their wedding.
'We decided that might get some speculation back as well, so we didn't. I did think about doing it really quietly,' the 62-year-old told B105 Brisbane's breakfast radio show of their decision against a secret ceremony.
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Perhaps paradoxically, considering his apparent apprehension regarding wedding-related chatter, Albanese then gave Stav, Abby & Matt 's listeners more than a few crumbs to sustain the rumour mill: he and Haydon are planning to marry on an unspecified day this spring and, if they have their way, it's going to be a small event.
'It won't be elaborate,' he said, confirming the only detail that had been finalised at that time was the first dog's role on the day. Toto, of course, will be the ring bearer.
A star-studded 'gala wedding' at Kirribilli House – which Opposition Leader Peter Dutton joked about being invited to in a brief well-wish in between the usual hostilities – is only on the cards for as long as Albanese is in office.
From what we do know about Albanese and Haydon's upcoming wedding, it's unlikely the couple would opt for that.
What we know about Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon's wedding so far
One year after their engagement, Albanese and Haydon revealed the 'small, intimate' wedding they had been eyeing off with feeling would be in spirit only due to the bride's big family.
Despite their shared upbringing in the Catholic faith, Haydon told Australian Women's Weekly in February the ceremony would be 'possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones … And you can be sure Toto will make an appearance.'
Divorcees are traditionally prohibited from remarrying in church unless an annulment is obtained for any previous marriages. Albanese, who was married to former NSW Labor deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt from 2000 until their 2019 separation, became the first divorcee to be appointed prime minister in 2022.
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He told the magazine he had asked his 24-year-old son, Nathan, for his opinion before he proposed to Haydon.
'I respect him and have a good relationship with him, and with his mother. So I asked him to think about it, and then he came back to me and Nathan was supportive,' Albanese said. 'He wants me to be happy, and Nathan and Jodie have a really nice relationship as well.'
Questions surrounding the venue persist, with arguments for The Lodge in Canberra – perhaps the best place to hide away from crowds and paparazzi and prevent details leaking – put on pause before Australians headed to the polls. There is always the couple's $4.3 million four-bedroom, three-bathroom and three-carport property in Copacabana.
Neither Albanese nor Haydon – who said she plans to continue working full-time as head of strategic partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank – have been 'doing much planning' lately, Albanese told WSFM in February, weeks before Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered his fourth budget and the countdown to the federal election began in earnest.
'We're waiting to get through the election, our focus is on that. And after that, of course,' he said. 'I, of course, proposed on Valentine's Day last year, and it's lovely having that certainty, and it's just fantastic at my time in life to find someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.'
'We're doing it in front of family and loved ones, and I see that as … for us,' Haydon said. 'It's something we're looking forward to – an important and symbolic way to reaffirm our commitment with each other.'
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