Yahoo News Will King Charles Visit Australia This Year?
Despite King Charles's recent cancer diagnosis, yesterday, the Australian government announced that plans are in the works for a royal visit by the British monarch. "The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. "The King, Queen and members of the royal family are always welcome in Australia. My government is engaging with states and territories on options for a possible royal visit." Buckingham Palace has not commented on the potential trip.
There is no timeline for King Charles's return to public duties. Upon announcing his cancer diagnosis, the Palace said that the King "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."
Charles's potential visit would mark his 16th official trip to Australia, but his first visit as King—and, the royal trip would be the first time a reigning monarch has traveled to the country since Queen Elizabeth in 2011. Charles's most recent visit was in 2018, for the Commonwealth Games, and perhaps his most famous was in 1983, when then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana traveled to Australia and New Zealand with a baby Prince William. Australia is one of fifteen Commonwealth Realms, where Charles is currently head of state.
Following King Charles's accession, Australia decided to not put the King on their new bank notes. (He will still be on coins.) Queen Elizabeth previously featured on the $5 bill—instead, the bank note will replace the late Queen with an Indigenous design. In 1999, Australia held a public referendum on becoming a republic, but the motion was defeated, but following the death of Queen Elizabeth, there has been some discussion about holding a new referendum. Australian actor Hugh Jackman has said he thinks Australia becoming a republic "feels inevitable" and a "natural part of evolution of a country."
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