While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was busy brokering billion-dollar deals and dodging diplomatic landmines in Washington, his fiancée Jodie Haydon has quietly returned to Australia after seven days in sun-soaked Palau.
Haydon touched down at Brisbane Airport early on Sunday morning, just hours before Albanese landed in the US capital for his high-stakes summit with President Donald Trump.
She was seen manoeuvring several large black suitcases and a shoulder bag as several security guards remained close by.
Haydon was sporting her dazzling engagement ring, a custom piece by Cerrone Jewellers in Leichhardt, a jeweller located in the heart of Albanese’s electorate.
The couple had spent the previous week soaking up the sun on the remote island of Palau in Micronesia, a paradise known more for coral reefs than covert ceremonies.
Flying economy on Qantas‘ ‘Palau Paradise Express’, a government-backed route aimed at boosting Pacific tourism, the couple reportedly blended in.
The relaxed vibe and seven-day media blackout requested by the PM’s office led to speculation that the pair may have had a small ceremony in the remote paradise.
But despite the romantic setting and whispers of a hush-hush wedding overseas, sources close to the couple insist they haven’t yet said ‘I do’.
Jodie Haydon (pictured) returning to Australia from Palau on Sunday evening
With a packed Parliamentary schedule over October and November the window for the couples ceremony to happen before the New Year is closing
The high-profile couple have hinted they will tie the knot in a small and private ceremony
Haydon has previously teased plans for a wedding ‘before the year is out’, describing their dream day as ‘small, intimate… possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones’.
Albanese has also ruled out inviting world leaders, with the ceremony expected to be a strictly private affair.
It’s still unclear whether any sitting MPs or Ministers will make the guest list, a tricky situation given the size of Albanese’s parliamentary caucus.
One VIP who’s definitely expected to attend? Their beloved cavoodle, Toto, who’s tipped to play a starring role.
With Parliament scheduled to sit on October 27, November 3, and November 24, the PM’s calendar is rapidly filling up, leaving only a narrow window in mid-November or early December for potential nuptials.
Data released by the Bureau of Statistics from 2024, shows that November and October are popular wedding months, especially Fridays and Saturdays, leaving the couple with time to tie the knot during peak wedding season.
Albanese and Haydon’s love story began in 2020 at a business event in Melbourne, where the PM famously asked the crowd if there were any South Sydney Rabbitohs fans.
Haydon responded with a spirited ‘Up the Rabbitohs!’, sparking a connection that led to a casual drink at Young Henrys in Newtown.
Albanese and Haydon’s love story began in 2020 at a business event in Melbourne
Albanese popped the question on Valentine’s Day 2024 at The Lodge
Albanese popped the question on Valentine’s Day 2024 at The Lodge, his official Canberra residence.
Born in Bankstown and raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Haydon is the daughter of two schoolteachers and a proud advocate for women’s rights.
She dropped out of university to pursue a career in finance, spending over two decades in the superannuation industry before taking on a role as a women’s officer with the NSW Public Service Association.
As of 2025, she holds the position of Head of Strategic Partnerships at Teachers Mutual Bank.
Her professional life remains separate from her public role, though she’s stepped into duties alongside Albanese, attending state dinners, overseas summits, and even the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.