Australian state premiers are facing intense criticism after an unexpected decision to skip King Charles III’s welcome event in Canberra. Just days before the British monarch’s much-anticipated tour, the country’s leaders have left many shocked by their refusal to attend the important event, citing prior commitments.
The King, who is scheduled to arrive in Australia with Queen Camilla for an 11-day tour, has been undergoing cancer treatment, making his trip even more significant. Yet despite the gravity of the occasion, none of the six state premiers will be present at the October 21st reception in Canberra, raising eyebrows across the nation.
This move has been branded as “embarrassing” by many, including Australian journalist Sophie Elsworth, who called out the state leaders for their apparent snub. Elsworth expressed disbelief over their decision, especially given that King Charles’ visit has been planned for months.
Elsworth said, “The leaders of our six states here have got other commitments and won’t be meeting with King Charles on Monday. And it’s really quite embarrassing because the King’s visit has been in the works for some months now.”
With King Charles serving as Australia’s head of state, the absence of its top political figures from his welcome event has been seen as a major diplomatic misstep. Elsworth emphasized that the state premiers should have cleared their schedules, not only out of respect for the monarch but also due to the historical nature of the visit. This will mark King Charles’ first official trip to Australia as king, following his ascension to the throne.
The timing of the snub is especially striking, given the King’s personal health challenges. Despite undergoing treatment for cancer, King Charles has prioritized his royal duties, making the trip Down Under a testament to his commitment. Elsworth pointed this out, noting that it’s “the right thing” for the state heads to be there, considering the monarch’s own sacrifices to ensure the tour happens.
“The King is risking his own health to make this trip happen, and the least our state leaders can do is show up,” Elsworth said. “This is an important visit Down Under. He has not been here with Queen Camilla since 2018, and particularly with his health issues that he is battling.”
The absence of the state leaders could also have broader implications for Australia’s relationship with the monarchy. The country has long been grappling with the question of whether to remain a constitutional monarchy or transition to a republic.
This snub, whether intentional or not, may be interpreted by some as a subtle shift in attitudes toward the British royal family, raising further questions about the monarchy’s role in modern Australia.
Although the premiers won’t be attending the Canberra reception, it is unclear whether they will make appearances at other events during the King and Queen’s visit. Their tour is set to take them to various cities, including Sydney and Melbourne, with the focus on strengthening ties between the UK and Australia.
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But the Canberra event, being the official welcome, was seen as a key moment, and the absence of the state leaders is being viewed as a major missed opportunity.
Critics have pointed out that the King’s visit carries a certain diplomatic weight, and the lack of attendance by the premiers sends an unfortunate message. Many see this as a moment when Australia could have showcased its respect for the British monarchy, especially given King Charles’ personal efforts to visit the country despite his health struggles.
Elsworth’s comments reflect the growing frustration among royal watchers and members of the public who expected a more unified response from Australia’s political leadership. As the King prepares for his tour, the spotlight has now shifted to how the rest of the trip will unfold and whether the premiers’ absence will have a lasting impact on Australia’s relationship with the monarchy.
From October 18 to 23, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be engaging with various Australian communities, highlighting key issues such as climate change and environmental sustainability, causes close to the King’s heart. This visit was initially intended to focus on bolstering ties and promoting goodwill, but the unexpected absence of the state leaders has cast a shadow over the proceedings.
As the tour kicks off, all eyes will be on how the royal couple’s visit is received by the Australian public and whether the state leaders’ snub will stir up further debate about the future of the monarchy in Australia. For now, the decision by the premiers remains a controversial topic, fueling speculation and criticism from both royalists and republicans alike.
