Monarchy Faces Critical Test as Australian Tour Sparks Debate
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit Australia on October 18, a trip that highlights increasing pressure on the King to engage with Commonwealth realms that recognise him as their head of state. However, the visit has sparked fresh discussions about the future of the monarchy, particularly among anti-monarchy campaigners.
Dr George Gross, founder of the British Coronations Project at King's College London, argues that the risks of not making such visits are greater than facing potential protests. He told Newsweek: “If you don't make these visits, what does that say?" Gross emphasised that staying away could send a more damaging message than dealing with the challenges posed by public dissent.
Polls show a growing republican movement in Australia, with a 2023 YouGov survey revealing a rise in support for becoming a republic, from 20 per cent to 32 per cent. However, support for remaining a constitutional monarchy still leads, at 35 per cent. More recent data cited by the Australian Republican Movement suggests that up to 92 per cent of Australians may be open to severing ties with the monarchy.
Despite this, Philip Benwell, national chairman of the Australian Monarchist League, commended King Charles for going ahead with the tour in spite of his health challenges, describing it as an act of bravery. Conversely, Esther Anatolitis, co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement, sees the trip as marking a potential final chapter for a king and queen of Australia, calling for a "fully committed head of state" dedicated solely to the nation.
