King Charles not to stand in way if Australia wants to become republic
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According to the Daily Mail, the monarch is taking an "anti-confrontational approach" to Australian republican protesters in preparation for his visit later this month.
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Britain's King Charles III attends a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on September 20, 2023. (AP)
King Charles III has stated that he will not object to Australia's decision to replace him as the country's head of state, according to reports.
According to the Daily Mail, the monarch is taking an "anti-confrontational approach" to Australian republican protesters in preparation for his visit later this month.
In answer to the Australian Republican Movement's (ARM) request for a meeting with the monarch, the king's assistant private secretary is said to have expressed "deep love and affection" for Australia.
Nathan Ross allegedly addressed the anti-monarchists: "His majesty, as a constitutional monarch, acts on the advice of his ministers, and whether Australia becomes a republic is, therefore, a matter for the Australian people to decide."
The ARM claims to be "the peak body advocating on behalf of the Australian people for an Australian republic with an Australian as our head of state".
In 1999, Australia conducted a referendum on establishing a republic, with 54.9% voting against.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has previously stated that "Australia should have an Australian as our head of state," but has subsequently suggested that a second referendum is not a priority.
According to a Buckingham Palace official, "Like his mother before him, it has always been the case that his majesty the King feels it is a matter for the Australian people."
Graham Smith, the president of the British campaign group Republic, who is currently in Australia to oppose the monarchy during the king's visit, said the predominant attitude toward the trip was one of "indifference and disinterest."
He described that when speaking to many friends and campaigners in the country recently, many were not even aware of the visit.
Smith added that he is present to support the UK campaign, to challenge how Charles can represent the UK, and to question the purpose of his brief visit, which comes "at great expense to Australian and British taxpayers."
“I’m also here to say to Australians this isn’t an institution that deserves respect or deference, and that they shouldn’t believe for a moment that the UK is a nation of royalists. I’m hoping the visit will help influence the debate in both countries and highlight the irrelevance of the monarchy.”
