The 'really unusual' Canberra booking that led to the PM's engagement

Congratulations are flying from around the world and from both sides of politics after the big personal news burst on Thursday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is engaged to his long-time partner Jodie Haydon. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has referred to the impending nuptials as "our version of the Royal Wedding".

In multiple social media posts on Thursday morning, Mr Albanese broke the news with a photo of the couple at The Lodge captioned with the phrase, "She said yes" followed by a heart emoji.

"We are thrilled and excited to share this news and look forward to spending the rest of our lives together. We are so lucky to have found each other," the pair said in a short statement.

Mr Albanese addressed the House over the stage three tax cuts on Thursday morning with a spring in his step. "It's a great day in so many ways Mr Speaker," he told Parliament smiling and to cheers behind him.

The couple had dined at the Labor-favourite, Lonsdale Street restaurant Italian and Sons on Wednesday evening.

The top Braddon spot, owned by the Trimboli family, is a highly rated Canberra favourite and a nod to Mr Albanese's Italian heritage.

A thrilled co-owner Pasquale Trimboli told The Canberra Times that Valentine's Day is the often the biggest night of the year for restaurants, but it is not usually a must for politicians on a sitting night.

"It was really unusual to see the booking come through on a Valentine's Day," he said. "Being Parliament we always see one or two high-level politicians come through because Parliament is sitting they're always looking for a restaurant for dining."

He said the Prime Minister did not give the game away as the couple was tucked away for privacy in a restaurant corner.

"I even had a chat with Mr Albanese and said, 'I suppose you'll be going back to work tomorrow' and all that sort of thing," he said.

"And he's made a little comment, 'Oh yeah, yeah it's business as usual tomorrow and, you know, back to work' and obviously he had a lot of things on his mind and he seemed quite pensive and a little bit, you know, a quick dinner. And obviously, he had a lot of other things going on."

The Prime Minister asked Ms Haydon to marry him later that evening at The Lodge.

"It's an honour to be part of folklore history in a way, isn't it? It'll be in the history books, let's put it that way," Mr Trimboli said. "It is not often that you get the Prime Minister to dine in your restaurant prior to an engagement. First ever as well."

"We've had prime ministers before, but first time for a prime minister to propose. We've had prime ministers right back to, in our original restaurant in Mezzalira, from the John Howard days, but we've never had one propose."

It has been a big week for Lonsdale Street, with the site of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce's late night mishap with a planter box still attracting attention and mirth at the Nationals MP's expense.

"Not just the Italian and Sons, but I think Braddon itself and Lonsdale Street has really been put on the map in the last seven days," Mr Trimboli said.

Mr Albanese has specially designed the large diamond, yellow gold band engagement ring, which can be seen in the photo posted to social media.

Mr Albanese, who was previously married to former deputy NSW premier Carmel Tebbutt, is believed to be the first Australian prime minister to get engaged while in office. Former prime ministers Julia Gillard and John McEwen were unmarried while in the top job. This will be Ms Haydon's first marriage.

The couple met in 2021. A date for the wedding has not been announced.

Politicians from both sides have rushed to welcome the news, including Mr Dutton who shook hands with him in the House chamber.

"Jodie's a lovely person. So I wish them every happiness and it's obviously a special relationship that they've got, and I wish them every success," he told Sydney radio 2GB.

He later jested in Parliament that he would do "whatever it takes" to get to what he called "our version of the Royal Wedding".

"I will be there, throwing roses out in front of you, Prime Minister. Whatever it takes to get an invite to the gala wedding," he said.