The Australian state premiers have faced accusations of insulting King Charles after they declined an invitation to a reception welcoming him to the country. The King’s visit begins later this week and will include a reception in Canberra, to which the six state premiers have said they are unable to attend. Bev McArthur, a pro-monarchist campaigner and Liberal MP, called the failure of state premiers to attend the reception “completely indefensible,” accusing them of “gesture-led politics.”
Buckingham Palace is not commenting on the row – but the Australian states will all have representatives at the event, including their governors. The King will also be formally welcomed by Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. This visit re-opens questions about whether Australia should become a republic, with this so-called “snub” being highlighted by the Daily Mirror.
Mrs McArthur, speaking on behalf of the Australian Monarchist League, said that constitutional monarchy offered a “very stable system of government” and that an elected president would mean another layer of government. She said that the latest polling in Australia showed more people still wanted to be a constitutional monarchy than a republic. However, the Australian Republic Movement wants an end to the King’s role as Australia’s head of state – and has called the royal visit the monarchy’s “farewell tour.”
In an exchange of letters with the Australian Republic Movement, the King has confirmed that whether Australia becomes a republic is a “matter for the Australian public to decide.” The visit to Australia will be the King’s biggest trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. His treatment is expected to be paused during the trip. After the Australian leg of the tour, the King and Queen will travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting
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