King Charles will not be written off before making history in Royal Family first - analysis by Cameron Walker
King Charles and Camilla on Broadbeach on the Gold Coast in Australia in 2018
Getty
In January, the Australian government shelved its plans to offer a referendum on removing King Charles as the country’s head of state, after an embarrassing defeat in a separate public vote to decide whether to give more political rights to the Indigenous population.
Despite no imminent threat of the Royal Standard being lowered for eternity, republicans Down Under are branding The King and Queen’s visit as “The Farewell Oz Tour” and “a chance to wave goodbye to the royal reign”.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to arrive in Sydney on Friday for a six-day tour of New South Wales, before jetting off to Samoa for a short State Visit and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The trip has not yet started, but it appears republicans are already threatening to overshadow what could turn out to be the most important visit of King Charles’ reign so far.
His Majesty will be the first King to ever step foot on Australian soil, and the first visit to the country as monarch - although he visited several times as Prince of Wales.
GettyPlease write at least 2 paragraphs
His Majesty will be the first King to ever step foot on Australian soil, and the first visit to the country as monarch - although he visited several times as Prince of Wales.
To add to The King’s problems, a number of senior Australian politicians appear to have snubbed an official invitation to the country’s Capital to attend a reception for Their Majesties in Canberra on Monday.
Excuses from Australia’s six state premiers being unavailable vary - cabinet meetings, election campaigning and trade missions - but many monarchists question why a visit from The King, that has been in the diary for months, could not have been prioritised.
However, Republicans have claimed there would be a inexcusable costs to taxpayers, flying six premiers to the nation’s Capital for a single reception.
But a spokesperson for the Australian Monarchists League (AML), Bev McArthur, told the Herald Sun it was a “slap in the face” for the royals.
King Charles will have rest breaks during his royal tour to Australia and SamoaGETTYPlease write at least 2 paragraphs
She slammed the premiers’ decisions, stating: “All premiers and ministers have sworn allegiance to our monarch, Charles III, and it is a monumental insult that they now spit in his hand extended in friendship,”
“This is a historic opportunity to unite Australia, to focus on charitable work and to give back to communities. Yet our immature politicians are clearly choosing to play politics.”
The AML have also criticised the Chief Executive of British anti-monarchy group Republic, who has flown out to Australia to protest during royal engagements.
AML Chairman Philip Benwell, has called Republican Graham Smith “arrogant” and has accused him of interfering.
In a statement, Benwell said: “This is clear foreign interference in how Australians engage with their Sovereign head of state, particularly through British funding for posters and materials designed to create division in our country.”
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the Australian Republic Movement suggests 40% of Australians don’t realise that King Charles III is Australia’s head of state.
GettyHe added: “The British have no right to interfere in the way we are governed under the Australian Constitution and Crown. This is a matter for the Australian people, not the British, and it is these British protesters who should go back to Britain and leave us to our own affairs. This interference by foreign interests is definitely not welcome.”
Graham Smith previously told GB News: "I'm not out here to campaign for Australia (to become a republic.)"
Instead, he claims to be travelling Down Under to speak to Australians about why Great Britain should cut ties with the monarchy.
It is clear there are passionate campaigners from both sides of the debate, but what do ordinary Australians think about King Charles and Queen Camilla's imminent visit?
Polling varies, so it is difficult to present an accurate portrayal of the public mood.
For example, the Australian Republic Movement suggests 40% of Australians don’t realise that King Charles III is Australia’s head of state.
A referendum was last held in 1999 on proposals to become a republic and replace Queen Elizabeth II with a president.
PEXELSBut a recent poll in the Daily Telegraph suggests only a third (33%) of Australians believe the country should become a republic, compared with 45% in favour of it remaining a monarchy - a poll widely publicised by Australian monarchists.
Whatever the public mood, the fact remains that Australia holding a referendum on becoming a republic is “not a priority” for Prime Minister Anthony Albenese’s government, despite his long-held aim to do so.
A referendum was last held in 1999 on proposals to become a republic and replace Queen Elizabeth II with a president. But the idea was rejected, with almost 55% of the Australian population voting No.
Since then, there have been more than ten visits to the country from members of the Royal Family.
Republicans may have dismissed the royal visit before the royal flight leaves UK airspace, but it is up to Australian citizens to judge whether King Charles III is a worthy head of state.