A political engagement of a different sort: after a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at a Canberra restaurant, Italian and Sons in Braddon, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proposed to his partner, Jodie Haydon, at the Lodge, and was accepted.

The prime minister designed the engagement ring used for the proposal himself.

Mr Albanese is the first prime minister to get engaged while in office, and will be the first serving PM to get married.

Mr Albanese announced the engagement on social media this morning. He posted a picture of the happy couple with the caption, “She said yes.”

“We are thrilled and excited to share this news and look forward to spending the rest of our lives together,” Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon said in a joint statement. “We are so lucky to have found each other.”

The pair first met in 2020 at an event in Melbourne, and bonded over their shared love of the South Sydney Rabbitohs National Rugby League team.

News of the engagement prompted widespread congratulations on social media.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on X: “Love is a beautiful thing, I’m so happy for you both.”

Labor MP Peter Khalil said: “Congratulations, Albo and Jodie. Jodie is a lovely person and you’re both very lucky to have each other. You really outdid us all on Valentine’s Day.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also wished the pair well.

“Congratulations Anthony, very happy for you and Jodie,” he said.