For an hour or so there he was just Mr Lucy Turnbull.
For once the spotlight was not trained on the prime minister but on his fierce and accomplished wife as she was honoured for her work strengthening Australia's relationship with Germany.
Malcolm Turnbull raced back from the campaign trail in Perth to attend the event at the Art Gallery of NSW, where Ms Turnbull was awarded the Verdienstkreuz am Bande - the German Cross of the Order of Merit.
Ms Turnbull has just finished three years as the Honorary President of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Asked to speak, the prime minister heaped praise on his wife.
"I'm here in my capacity as a very proud husband," he told the crowd of about 80 people.
"Well done to you my dear wife for the leadership you've shown, and the enthusiasm you've brought as you bring to every role, including the joint role we've had as husband and wife for 36 years.
"I love you so much and you are such a credit to Australia."
At this point the prime minister began to tear up.
"It is wonderful to be here with you, supporting you, showing my admiration for you as a very, very proud and loving husband."
Outgoing German ambassador Christoph Muller performed the delicate task of attaching the medal to Ms Turnbull's lapel.
"Unfortunately one of my eyes is short-sighted," he warned - but managed the operation without stabbing Ms Turnbull.
Ms Turnbull thanked the German government for the honour, which she said came as a great surprise.
"I was absolutely stunned, shocked and amazed. I'm overwhelmed," she said.
Ms Turnbull spoke of the improvements in the bilateral relationship - and even momentarily adopted her husband's campaign slogan.
"German enterprise and German business is such a strong and dominant feature in Australia and I think we need to recognise the jobs - and dare I say the growth - it brings to Australia."
She appeared to wrap up her acceptance speech, sparking applause. Then she started speaking again: "Before I leave can I just thank my darling husband for being here.
"When he showed a particular interest in coming to this I said but darling, there's no way you're going to be able to do this. It'd be wonderful but I don't want to put any pressure on you.
"And here he is."
The Turnbulls' son Alex and his wife Yvonne, the German-speaking Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Dame Marie Bashir were also in attendance.
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