Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces engagement to partner Jodie Hayden

New Delhi: Anthony Albanese became the first Australian Prime Minister to announce an engagement while in office as he revealed his partner accepted his proposal on Valentine’s Day.

Albanese, who has been in a three-year relationship with financial services professional Jody Hayden, proposed on the balcony of the official residence lodge after a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant, reports news agency AP.

Albanese shared the news with a heart symbol on social media, writing, “She said yes.”

The Prime Minister revealed that he had carefully planned the date and setting of the proposal and even played a role in designing Hayden’s diamond ring. However, he remained uncertain whether the wedding would take place before the announcement of Australia’s next election, which is scheduled to take place sometime between August of the current year and next May.

During a brief press conference held on the lawn of the lodge, Albanese expressed his pleasure in sharing the news with the public, and emphasized the joy he felt in finding a life partner. Hayden expressed gratitude for the flood of congratulatory messages he received from friends, family and well-wishers, the AP reports.

Albanese has a son from his previous marriage, which ended in divorce after 19 years.

On a lighter note, opposition leader Peter Dutton congratulated Albanese in Parliament. Dutton, who advocates retaining King Charles III as Australia’s head of state, joked about anticipating his own version of a royal wedding.

“We look forward to our own version of the royal wedding in the near future,” Dutton said, responding to laughter from fellow MPs. “Prime Minister, I will keep throwing roses in front of you there. Whatever one has to do to get an invitation to a grand wedding,” he added.