More than five years after their scandalous affair came to light, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, 56, is set to marry his former political adviser turned mistress, Vikki Campion, 38.
The couple, who have two sons, Sebastian and Thomas, will tie the knot in a bush bash wedding in Walcha, New South Wales, on November 12, but there are some glaring omissions from the guest list.
Mr Joyce has four daughters from his first marriage to Natalie, but the Today’s telegraph reported that only one of them would attend the wedding.
It’s unclear which of Julia, Caroline, Odette and Bridgette is expected to attend the wedding, but it’s unlikely to be Odette, who previously posted a photo of her mother and siblings on Instagram with the caption: ‘The real Joyce family #that’s barnaby’
Sebastian and Thomas are expected to play a special role on the wedding day.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce (pictured left) is set to marry his much younger former political adviser turned mistress Vikki Campion (pictured right).
Mr Joyce is pictured with his ex-wife Natalie and their four daughters, Julia, Caroline, Odette and Bridgette.
Ms Joyce was said to have been blindsided by her then-husband’s affair, news of which emerged in February 2018, when Ms Campion was two months away from giving birth to Sebastian.
When the couple announced their engagement in January 2022, Mr Joyce said his family’s reaction had been “what you would have expected” and not everyone was happy.
“Some are happy and others, of course, less happy,” Mr. Joyce said at the time.
He proposed with a party sapphire ring, a popular stone in his northern New England electorate, in New England.
“Rather than being on my knees (to propose), I ended up getting down on my knees. I was saying my prayers,” he said.
Ms Campion said yes, and after delays due to the pandemic, the couple are set to marry at a secret venue – believed to be one of Mr Joyce’s properties – next month.
Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion are pictured with their eldest son Sebastian
Barnaby’s daughter Odette posted this photo of her mother and siblings on Instagram with the caption: “The real Joyce family #whosbarnaby.”
Their close friends and National Party colleagues have been invited to attend the wedding, which begins at 11 a.m., and the celebration that follows.
Guests are encouraged to arrive by SUV or 4×4, display their gifts and party late into the night.
“It’s definitely a return to his country roots for Barnaby,” said one guest.
“The naysayers said they wouldn’t get to this point, but these are two people in love and we can’t wait to celebrate.”
While many guests are expected to stay overnight and sleep in their vehicles or in tents, there will also be a bus to take less brave souls to a nearby country hotel.
When his affair was revealed in early 2018, Mr Joyce resigned as deputy prime minister and national leader.
Then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull criticized Joyce for what he called a “shocking error of judgment.”
This led Mr Turnbull to introduce an “absolute ban” on Coalition MPs to stop them having sex with their ministerial staff.
Mr Joyce and Mrs Campion are pictured with their sons Thomas and Sebastian
Vikki Campion and Barnaby Joyce, who wed in November, are pictured with their son Thomas
The exact location of Barnaby Joyce (left) and Vikki Campion (right)’s wedding is being kept secret
At the time, however, Ms Campion said the ban “doesn’t protect anyone”.
She said loopholes would allow ministers to sleep with other junior staff they do not directly employ, regardless of their position.
Ms Campion also said MPs, rather than ministers, were still allowed to have sex with their own election staff, the staff of other ministers, the staff of opposition members, maintenance staff and Senate staff under the ban.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Joyce for comment.
