The reception, planned in the capital Canberra, was supposed to celebrate the British monarch, who is still formally Australia’s head of state
Australian royalist groups have been left outraged after all six Australian state governors decided not to attend a reception honoring King Charles III during his visit to Oceania. The reception, planned in the capital Canberra, was supposed to celebrate the British monarch, who is still formally Australia’s head of state. However, the governors of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania declined the invitation, each with different reasons, citing personal or professional commitments. Victoria’s governor, Jacinta Allan, will not even be replaced by her deputy.
The indignant reaction of the monarchists
Bev McArthur, Australian liberal MP and fervent monarchist, expressed her disappointment, calling the decision “indefensible” and considering it an insult to King Charles, who made great efforts to be present despite his illness. In fact, due to his cancer diagnosis, Carlo reduced his original itinerary, which included a stop in New Zealand. This trip, which will take him first to Australia and then to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm), is his first international trip since his diagnosis, excluding participation in the D-Day celebrations in France.
The prospects of a transition towards the republic
On the other hand, the Australian Republic Movement, which supports the idea of transforming Australia into a republic, applauded the governors’ decision, defining Charles’ trip as a “farewell tour” of the monarchy in the country. The movement revealed that Charles had exchanged letters with them, stating that he did not oppose Australia’s decision to abandon the monarchy, leaving that choice in the hands of the Australian people. The king cited as an example the case of Barbados, which left the monarchy two years ago and became a republic. Even the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has always been a supporter of the republican cause and has repeatedly declared his intention to promote a referendum to put an end to the monarchy.
Requests for reparations from the Commonwealth
Meanwhile, other Commonwealth nations are seeking financial reparations from the UK for its colonial past. The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, recently made claims for billions of pounds in compensation, calling for reparations not only for Barbados but also for other Commonwealth member states. This request has raised much discussion, with some British media outlets quipping that as Barbados seeks compensation, China is gaining more and more influence on the island.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved
