Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s dog Toto quietly stole the show at his wedding to Jodie Haydon nearly a fortnight ago – and the internet is still completely obsessed.
On November 29, Albanese, 62, married his 46-year-old partner in a private ceremony at The Lodge, the Prime Minister’s official residence in Canberra.
The historic milestone marked the first time a sitting Australian Prime Minister has ever married in office, after Albanese proposed to Ms Haydon – his partner of five years – on Valentine’s Day last year.
The groom cut a sharp figure in a Saunders tuxedo by Australian tailor MJ Bale, while Ms Haydon stunned in a long-sleeved white gown by Sydney-based designer Romance Was Born.
But it was ringbearer Toto, styled in a white dress and led on a matching white leash by Ms Haydon’s five-year-old niece Ella, acting as flower girl, who captured the internet’s attention.
The 10-year-old blonde cavoodle also posed for photos alongside Albanese’s 25-year-old son Nathan, whom he shares with ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt, and quickly emerged as the unexpected star of the Prime Minister’s wedding album, which also featured key Labor figures including Jim Chalmers, Penny Wong, Richard Marles and Katy Gallagher.
Shortly after Albanese shared photos from the big day on Instagram, Toto was inundated with praise.
“Congratulations! Just wonderful! Love Toto’s role and Jodie’s exquisite @romancewasborn gown,” media personality Jessica Rowe wrote.
Finance podcaster Victoria Devine added: “Congratulations!!!!! I love that Toto got to be part of it!”
“So happy puppy got to share in your big day,” one follower commented, while another gushed: “Omg Toto’s outfit love it.”
Popular fashion account Fashion Critical also weighed in with a tongue-in-cheek take on the pup’s bridal-style outfit.
“Most concerningly, Albo’s dog also wore a white frock, which onlookers described as a blatant play to steal attention away from the bride,” the account joked.
Fans on X were just as delighted by Toto’s starring role.
“In a heartwarming twist, PM Albanese’s cavoodle Toto was a ring-bearer! Pets are wedding stars!” one user wrote.
Australia’s ‘First Dog’ has long been part of Albanese’s public life, first winning hearts during the 2022 federal election campaign, where she served as both loyal companion and unofficial mascot while sporting her famous red “Albo 2022” scarf.
In 2021, the then-opposition leader spoke movingly about his bond with Toto in an interview with The Advertiser.
“When I’ve been away for a bit – in parliament or out on the road – there’s nothing quite like getting back and opening the front door,” Mr Albanese said.
“In that moment of wild joy, Toto is poetry in commotion.”
He added: “There’s a beautiful, open-hearted honesty about dogs that brings out the best in us, and any person who spends time in the company of a dog is all the better for it.
“I definitely feel better for all the time I spend with Toto.”
Following their wedding, which was privately paid for, Albanese and Haydon reportedly escaped on a secret honeymoon to the luxury Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.
With suites priced at around $3,000 a night, the couple’s four-night stay alone is believed to have cost at least $12,000.
But with a strict “no pets allowed” policy at the resort, it’s unlikely Toto joined them for the romantic getaway.
