Australian monarchists have likened republicans to “vampires rising from the grave”, as The King and Queen spend their first night on Australian soil.
The King and Queen are spending six days Down Under, visiting Sydney and Canberra, His Majesty’s first visit to one of his other realms.
It is the first time a reigning King has walked on Australian soil, but a smattering of Republicans have been voicing their opposition - some are dubbing the visit the “Farewell Tour of Oz”.
Philip Benwell, the National Chair of the Australian Monarchist League, said: “Unfortunately, royal visits always bring out the republicans.”
He joked: “It’s like vampires rising from the grave!”
The AML was founded 25 years ago to “uphold Australia’s system of constitutional monarchy”.
Australian Monarchist League meeting in Sydney
GB News
A number of volunteers have been busy preparing for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s public engagements by ensuring crowds have Australian flags to wave in welcoming support of the sovereign.
Volunteers are expected to wear bright yellow t-shirts, ironically a similar colour to the UK’s anti-monarchy group Republic, and high-vis jackets at gatherings in Sydney and Canberra.
Philip Benwell, the National Chair of the Australian Monarchist League, said: “AML volunteers will be out and about over coming days to distribute thousands of Australian flags, at our own cost, to crowds that gather to greet the King and Queen.
“This is something we have done successfully over the last 25 years”.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Australia
PA
Monarchists, however, are not the only organisations planning to attend The King and Queen’s engagements; UK-based Graham Smith, the Chief Executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, has flown to Australia to protest in Canberra.
Smith, who is an Australian citizen, said: “I’m not out here to campaign for Australia [to become a republic].”
He claims to be in Australia to explain why he thinks the United Kingdom should cut ties with the monarchy.
Alexander Voltz, a spokesperson for the Australian Monarchist League, doesn’t think it’s “appropriate” for Smith to come to Australia during the Royal visit.
Pictures are projected onto Sydney Opera House, and reflected in a puddle on the harbourside, after King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Sydney to begin their tour of Australia and Samoa
PA
He told GB News: “The fact that a foreign organisation is funding him with foreign money to interfere in the domestic affairs of Australia is outrageous.
“His return flight should be booked as quickly as possible.
“We have no desire for this foreign interference to be going on in Australia.”
Responding to the comments, Smith told GB News: “I don’t take the AML seriously, particularly when they welcome a foreign monarch while criticising others for visiting Australia.
“Charles is accused of interfering in Australian politics during the dismissal crisis, yet they remain silent on that.
“While I am an Australian citizen, I’m here to campaign for a British republic.
“Lots of Australians have welcomed me here and I’ll be collaborating with them in the future. A few silly monarchists won’t change that.”
Tomorrow, The King and Queen will carry out their first public engagement, attending a service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney.
Their Majesties are expected to mingle with the congregation after the service, with other engagements planned later in the day.
