Monarchist groups criticise premiers for absent reception during royal visit

In what some call a significant breach of protocol and others see as a sign of changing times, Australia's state premiers have opted out of the welcome reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla in Canberra.

The decision has sparked a debate about the monarchy's relevance in modern Australia and the priorities of its elected officials.


King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival in Australia was meant to be a momentous occasion.

It marked the King's 17th visit to the country but his first as the reigning monarch.

The royal couple's six-day itinerary includes stops in Canberra and Sydney from October 18 to 23.


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Australian state premiers in Canberra will not welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla due to other commitments. Credit: Shutterstock


However, the absence of state premiers at the welcome reception has raised eyebrows and elicited strong reactions from various quarters.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and NSW Premier Chris Minns cited cabinet meetings as their inability to attend, while Queensland Premier Steven Miles is focused on his re-election campaign.

Other premiers, such as Jeremy Rockliff of Tasmania and Peter Malinauskas of South Australia, have also indicated they are otherwise occupied, with Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook's spokesperson mentioning 'other commitments.'


Monarchist groups and opposition politicians have criticised the premiers' decision not to attend the reception.

Victorian Opposition spokesman Brad Rowswell expressed disappointment, suggesting that leadership sometimes requires setting aside personal views for the greater good.

‘Sometimes, leadership requires putting personal prejudice aside in the interests of the greater good,’ he said.

‘Premier Allan represents a state wholeheartedly embraces and supports King Charles as our Head of State’.

Bev McArthur, the Australian Monarchists League spokesperson in Victoria, called the snub a 'slap in the face' to the King and a 'monumental insult.'

‘All premiers and ministers have sworn allegiance to our monarch, Charles III, and it is a monumental insult that they now spit in his hand extended in friendship,’ she said.

‘This is a historic opportunity to unite Australia, focus on charitable work, and give back to communities. Yet our immature politicians are clearly choosing to play politics.'


On the other side of the debate, republican sentiment in Australia is gaining traction, particularly among younger generations who question the relevance of a hereditary monarch as the nation's head of state.

Esther Anatolitis, co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement and a candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, sees the royal visit as an opportunity to reignite discussions about Australia's constitutional future and the possibility of becoming a republic.

‘Welcome to “Monarchy the Farewell Oz Tour." It's time to wave goodbye to royal reign,’ she said.

‘This week's visit is a valuable opportunity for us to ask that question we’ve been asking for many years: why does Australia still have a King?’

‘Does it make sense that our Head of State inherits the role by birthright and isn’t here for Australians full-time?’

‘By all means, let's welcome Charles and Camilla to Australia...but let's see this as the last visit of a sitting monarch.


Despite the controversy, the royal visit will proceed with a welcome at Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

King Charles is scheduled to address an audience of distinguished Australians and pay his respects at the Australian War Memorial.

The public will also have the chance to meet the royal couple at the For Our Country memorial and the Opera House forecourt.
Key Takeaways
  • Australian state premiers will not be present to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla in Canberra due to other commitments.
  • Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan and NSW's Premier Chris Minns cited cabinet meetings as reasons for their absence; other premiers are occupied with various duties, including election campaigns.
  • The snub from the state premiers has been seen as an insult by monarchists and reflects the growing republican sentiment in Australia.
  • Despite the absence of state leaders, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be welcomed at the Australian Parliament by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and will interact with the public at key events during their visit.
What are your thoughts on the state premiers' decision to skip the royal welcome reception? Is it a matter of conflicting schedules, a political statement, or something else? Feel free to share your views and experiences in the comments below.
 
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They wouldn't be getting what their getting for FREE now. How many useless millions of our dollars are being lost, on lost causes for them.

As in many numerous places throughout Aussie, e.g. take a "Stroll" through the outback town of Wilcania in Mid Western NSW, is a real example of such.

Don't get me totally wrong, there are certainly some great aboriginals, or part thereof, which I have the greatest respect. Albert "N", Jacinta "P", Jimmy "L", Warren "M", Evonne "G", Cathy "F", Lionel "R". That is just a starter of some really worthwhile members of the Aboriginal citizens & community., past & present.

The pretenders in the Federal Parliament are a complete failure at the behest of Albo.
No they would still be happy in their own land..Why do some countries want to invade other countries and take over people living how they did. I know it's power and greed and the world would be different if it never happened,but now we know the results leave well alone and let countries get on with their life. There's wars everywhere and unfortunately don't think it will change. Sounds like the old saying ( the grass is always greener on the other side )
 
What has he ever done that makes him dignified? This clown has been a total idiot all his life and I wouldn't take one step to see him I actually have a number of friends who are English born who totally agree with me.
Again shooting mouth of about someone you don't know personally
 
Having spent much time studying monarchies (present and historical) and ‘who’ these inheritors of privilege and wealth really are as individuals - and what they generally have NOT done to ‘deserve/earn’ their titles - I’m reassured that our premiers (who are paid from the public purse) recognise that they may have more important things to do than drop everything concerned with governance to bow to a former adulterer and his mistress. It should be noted that when we become a republic, we can still be part of the commonwealth.
Oh dear name calling again
 
For goodness sake, Premiers have chosen to not attend - for whatever reasons, they have a choice. There is a state election in Old this weekend - busy. Who are you to insist they should have nothing more important to do or to make a choice. My opinion is that Charles and Camilla will not care and would not be so crass as to carry on about it in this manner. We have freedom of choice - respect that! I do not begrudge the budget being spend on their visit - of course we need to do the ‘Welcome to Country’….that is appropriate.
 
Respect for what....That mob has been having holidays at our expense for years. Nobody seems to want to accept all the crap we've had from them since they tried to take over Ireland, stole everything from the Irish and dumped those they didn't want in Australia Inc my GGGrandfather who only had 1 charge against him...stealing bread to feed his family after those bastards took his cow, sheep, land and home. Charlie didn't even respect his own mother when she said Camilla would NOT be queen.
I have the utmost respect for the Premiers for taking a stand. THIS IS AUSTRALIA NOT A MINI POMMY LAND. Remember that Pommy was actually POME.... PRISONER OF MOTHER ENGLAND. We still are until we stand on our own two feet
I don't agree, Australia is a very small country population wise and if we are dragged into the conflict in the middle east or elsewhere we need powerful nations as our allies. Snubbing the King is not a good look for Australia.
 
Have you seen other countries who are a republic, Russia, Afghanistan, America, Uganda, would you want to live in any of those, we are very lucky here, but giving complete power to a president to rule the country and your life is frightening, the life we have now could end up under a dictatorship that will destroy the country , because if you think you are ruled now, god help us if that happens.
IT WOULD BE A DICTATOR. so many aussies seem to want that. ones who have no idea of what would be ahead of them. all they can think about is what the king does for us. little do they know he leaves us alone.
 
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