The King and Queen are facing a snub from senior politicians in Australia when they begin a tour of the country later this week, according to reports. This visit holds significant importance as it marks the King’s most substantial overseas tour since his cancer diagnosis and his first to Australia as the nation’s head of state.
A reception for the royal couple in Canberra on 21 October has invited all the nation’s state premiers – but none have accepted, citing other commitments. The King is scheduled to address community and political leaders at the event, as stated by Buckingham Palace. Recently, Victoria’s state premier Jacinta Allan confirmed she will not be attending, while South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas cited a regional cabinet meeting for his expected absence.
The absence of the state premiers has stirred controversy, with some sections of the Australian media criticizing the snub as an “insult”, “disrespectful,” and “childish.” This situation raises questions about whether the snub is an attempt to reignite the monarchy debate in Australia.
Despite the King’s efforts to condense the tour to accommodate his health, the visit to the landlocked capital, Canberra, remains on the agenda. As Australia’s head of state, he is set to address a reception at Parliament House, the political epicenter of the country. However, none of the eight political leaders from Australia’s states and territories are expected to attend, prompting further criticism from the media.
The whirlwind nature of this visit with only two and a half days of engagements planned leaves little room for discussions on the future of the monarchy. Research indicates that while support for republicanism in Australia remains steady, a significant portion of the population still favors the monarchy.
The King’s decision to pause his cancer treatment for the Australian tour, with approval from royal doctors, underscores the importance of this visit. The tour will span 11 days, including nine days of engagements with two days allocated for travel. The entourage will include the King’s doctor, and the program has been carefully designed to allow for ample rest and recovery time.
As the royal visit to Australia unfolds amidst political controversy, the absence of key political figures raises questions about the monarchy’s future in the country. The King’s decision to prioritize this tour despite health concerns signifies the significance of the trip and its potential impact on the ongoing debate between monarchy and republicanism in Australia.
