MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his partner Jodie Haydon in a secretive and intimate ceremony on Saturday at The Lodge, his official residence in Canberra. This significant event marks Albanese as the first prime minister in 124 years of Australian federal government history to marry while in office.

The ceremony was attended by around 60 guests, including notable figures such as Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe and several cabinet ministers. The event was held in the afternoon, and the media remained uninformed until after the marriage had taken place.

In a statement, the couple expressed their joy, saying, “We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends.” Albanese, aged 62, and Haydon, aged 46, wrote their own vows for the occasion. Their dog, Toto, served as the ring bearer, while Haydon’s 5-year-old niece, Ella, filled the role of the flower girl.

Albanese, who is divorced with an adult son, proposed to Haydon on Valentine’s Day last year at The Lodge. Initially, they planned for a larger wedding prior to the national elections scheduled for May 2025. In various talks, Albanese revealed intentions to invite former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a personal friend of his, to the ceremony.

However, due to concerns by the ruling center-left Labor Party strategists that a lavish wedding amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis could negatively impact their re-election prospects, the couple opted for a more subdued celebration. Consequently, the wedding was postponed with Albanese previously stating plans for it to occur in 2025, though a specific date was not disclosed.

The wedding took place just two days after the end of the parliamentary session for the year, reflecting a conscious decision to hold the private event away from public scrutiny and political discourse. Haydon, who is employed in finance, originally met Albanese at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020.

In a delicate balance between personal milestones and the responsibilities tied to office, Albanese's marriage illustrates both his commitment to his personal life and the awareness of public sentiment in governance. The ceremony not only changes his personal status but also opens a new chapter in the narrative of Australian political history.