King Charles said he would not interfere if Australia decided to abolish the monarchy and replace it with a new head of state.
He told Republican activists he had a “deep love” for the country but would stand aside if Australians decided to remove him.
The King is scheduled to travel to Oceania next week for an eight-day royal tour, during which he will also visit the island of Samoa for a federal government summit.
The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) had written to Buckingham Palace ahead of the landmark visit, requesting a meeting with the monarch.
In a letter responding to the request, Prince Charles’ private secretary said His Majesty had a “deep love and affection” for the Commonwealth country.
Dr. Nathan Ross said:
“As a constitutional monarch, His Majesty is acting on the advice of his ministers, so it is for the Australian people to decide whether Australia becomes a republic.”
Anti-monarchists said they valued the royal family’s “important contribution” but wanted it to be “on an equal footing with other countries”.
Royal’s latest work:
Charles and Camilla are scheduled to visit Australia and Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this month.
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King Charles and Duchess Camilla Getty on Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Australia, 2018But both leaders said they hoped the two countries would remain “our closest friends and allies” even if there was a schism.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently announced that there would be no referendum on Australia’s independence from the monarch.
The last referendum on this issue was held in 1999, with almost 45% voting in favor of abolishing the monarchy.
Australia’s Prime Minister has abolished the Republican cabinet role he created after the 2022 election.
Anthony Albanese recently announced that Australia would not hold a referendum for independence from the monarchy.
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He said if elected “the only thing[I promised]would be to hold one specific referendum”, saying he had achieved that with the Indigenous Voices of Australia referendum in 2023, and that he justified the decision.
Mr. Albanese is a “lifelong Republican” and has repeatedly made his feelings clear on the issue. He previously said: “I think Australia should have an Australian as head of state. I wouldn’t hesitate to do that.”
But earlier this year, he told local media that a referendum on such a vote was “not a priority” and there was “no timeline” for its implementation.
The last referendum on this issue was held in 1999, when almost 55% voted against removing the head of state.
Albanians pledged allegiance to Charles at his coronation ceremony last year and insisted they still had “great respect” for the king despite his political views.
