King Charles III and Queen Camilla will arrive in Sydney on Friday for the first Australian visit by a reigning monarch in more than a decade. The trip has reignited controversy over the country’s constitutional ties with Britain.
The heads of government of all six Australian states have refused to attend an official reception in honour of the monarch’s visit, citing busy work schedules, and opponents of the monarchy are preparing to hold protests in Canberra and Sydney. On the eve of the trip, Buckingham Palace made it clear that Charles III would not interfere with the possible withdrawal of Australia from the British crown.
During his visit, Charles III will address a reception for political and community leaders, as well as prominent Australians who have excelled in health, the arts, culture and sport. He and his wife also plan to visit the Australian War Memorial.
For Australians, the British monarch’s trip was an occasion to renew discussions about the prospects of Australia declaring itself an independent republic. The refusal of the heads of government of all six of the country’s states – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – to attend an official reception to mark the arrival of Charles III on 21 October in Canberra was telling.
The cancellations were given for various reasons like the need for other work travel on that day. Australian politicians who support the preservation of the monarchy found this behaviour offensive. Bev MacArthur of the Liberal Party called the non-appearance of regional heads of government inexcusable.
Severing ties “inevitable”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has called severing ties with the monarchy inevitable, created the position of Assistant Minister for Republic Affairs immediately after his appointment in 2022 for that purpose.
Matt Thistlethwaite, who was appointed to the post, spoke of the need to “learn the lessons of 1999,” avoid controversy and gradually discuss a transition model. Before that, it was decided to hold a referendum to enshrine indigenous status in the country’s constitution. 60.8% of citizens voted against the amendments, whose supporters were Anthony Albanese and the ruling Labour Party. After the defeat, Labour spoke of the need to postpone the vote on the monarchy as well.
Already in January 2024, Albanese said that the referendum on abandoning the monarchy “is not a priority” and the government does not have even an approximate timeline for its implementation.
Australians remain ambivalent about the prospect of declaring a republic. A News Corp. poll this week found that 45 per cent support the continuation of a monarchy in Australia, with only 33 per cent opposing and 22 per cent undecided.
