Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster and her long-term partner finally tied the knot after a fierce campaign for marriage equality in Australia.
The pair celebrated their nuptials without a hitch as the former PM cheered on in the front row – but moments before the ceremony Christine’s new wife Virginia Edwards made a very cheeky joke about her politician brother-in-law and his wife.
Appearing on Channel Ten’s The Project, the newlyweds were asked by new host Lisa Wilkinson if it was true Tony Abbott would be seated next to a drag queen.
Moments before the ceremony Christine’s new wife Virginia Edwards (left) made a very cheeky joke about her politician brother-in-law and his wife
Virginia was lightning-fast with her witty response and replied: ‘No, Margie’s beautiful!’ – referring to Tony’s wife.
Her joke was met with a roar of shocked laughter as she quickly repaired the damage and added: ‘No, there will be no drag queens.’
‘There are a couple that are known to go out in drag but they have assured me that they will not be in drag at the wedding,’ Christine said.
Christine also assured the hosts her brother – who is famously opposed to gay marriage – was nothing but supportive about their same-sex nuptials.
‘He’s been fabulous, he was the first person to ring us this morning and to check in to see everything was going smoothly,’ she said.
The beaming newlyweds also shared their joy over finally legally marrying following a four-year engagement and a tough fight for equality.
Appearing on Channel Ten’s The Project, the newlyweds were asked by new host Lisa Wilkinson if it was true Tony Abbott would be seated next to a drag queen
Christine (right) also assured the hosts her brother – who is famously opposed to gay marriage – was nothing but supportive about their same-sex nuptials
Former PM Tony Abbott (pictured) sat front row during his sister’s same-sex nuptials
‘I’m still, in some ways, pinching myself about this because it was such a long time coming and it was such a hard fight in this country,’ Christine said.
‘It’s very special for us, and that change in our law, was very special for so many Australians and their families.’
Christine and Virginia married on Friday during a lavish ceremony at a Sydney venue overlooking the Botanical Gardens.
The smitten couple dressed for the occasion in matching navy outfits, with Christine choosing a long tailcoat jacket while Virginia opted for a hooded gown.
However Tony Abbott’s daughter, Frances Abbott, who was also an outspoken advocate for gay marriage in Australia, was unable to attend the ceremony.
Christine and Virginia (pictured) married on Friday during a lavish ceremony at a Sydney venue overlooking the Botanical Gardens
The smitten couple dressed for the occasion in matching navy outfits, with Christine choosing a long tailcoat jacket while Virginia opted for a hooded gown
The 26-year-old lives in Melbourne with her bodybuilder fiance, Sam Loch, who was also absent from the nuptials.
Christine told The Project her niece could not attend the ceremony due to ‘other commitments’ including the planning of her own upcoming wedding.
The 200-strong guest-list did include most of the Abbott family, including Tony and his wife Margie, her mother Fay, sister Pip and Tony’s two other daughters Louise and Bridget.
Newlyweds Christine and Virginia made a majestic arrival down a floral staircase and Tony and Margie posed for a family photograph on stage following the vows, the ABC reports.
It was the first high-profile same-sex wedding since marriage equality law was passed in Australian Parliament on December 7 last year.