King Charles III has expressed his deep love and affection for Australia as he visits the country this weekend, marking his first major foreign trip since his cancer diagnosis. Australia is one of 14 countries where he remains the symbolic head of state, but there are growing debates about becoming a republic and cutting ties with the British monarchy. Last year, Australia replaced an image of Charles on their $5 bill with an Indigenous design, showing a move away from the monarchy.
During his visit, Charles will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other representatives, although the premiers of Australia’s six states have all said they are unable to attend. Despite some controversy, Charles’ visit is seen by the Monarchist League as an opportunity to show affection for Australia, while the Australian Republic Movement is using the visit to promote the idea of becoming a republic.
A referendum on transitioning to a republic in 1999 was unsuccessful, but there is ongoing debate about the issue. Only eight out of 45 referendums in Australia have passed, indicating the difficulty of making significant constitutional changes. If Australia were to become a republic, it would follow in the footsteps of Barbados, which recently removed the British monarch as its head of state while remaining part of the Commonwealth.
The royal visit will also include a stop in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where Charles will highlight the threat of climate change to Pacific island states. Despite some divisions, Charles’ visit to Australia and the Pacific is seen as an important opportunity for diplomatic engagement and discussions on the future of the monarchy in the region.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
