King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Australia to a grand light show at the iconic Sydney Opera House, marking the start of their 11-day tour on Friday. This trip, the monarch's first long-haul flight since his cancer diagnosis, was meant to be a symbol of strong ties between the monarchy and the Commonwealth nation.
However, the royal reception was overshadowed by a subtle yet pointed snub. Despite the grandeur of the event, key Australian state premiers were notably absent. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams described their absence as a slight, suggesting that the excuses provided for not attending, including cabinet meetings and other commitments, lacked genuine substance.
"It's extraordinary. They’re not following the usual courtesies, and it’s difficult to understand why," Fitzwilliams commented. He emphasised that King Charles, as Australia’s head of state, should have been shown greater respect, especially during such a significant tour.
Despite the warm welcome from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, and other dignitaries, the absence of key political figures highlighted the growing debate over Australia's future as a monarchy. The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has even labelled the visit as the monarchy’s "farewell tour," sparking further speculation about the country's shift towards becoming a republic.
