As royals visit Australia, calls for a republic return

Australia's prime minister has said he has no plans to hold a referendum on the country becoming a republic, and that he still supports the country's links with the British monarchy.

Scott Morrison was asked about the issue as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the opening of an enhanced Anzac Memorial in Sydney's Hyde Park, honouring Australia's servicemen and women.

He said: "I don't support a change as the prime minister, but all Australians have different views on this.

"Look, I think what you've seen with the reception for the Duke and Duchess has been just tremendous, has just been one, big warm embrace and that's how it should be and that's how I think it'll always be with every visiting royal to Australia."

Asked if he thought there will be another referendum on a republic, he added: "I'm certainly not planning one, that's not my plan."

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue their tour of Australia, the republican movement says the demand to cut the apron strings from the British monarchy is growing.

Harry and Meghan are currently visiting the Commonwealth realm on behalf of the Queen, who has been Australia's head of state since 1952.

The Queen was the first-ever British monarch to visit the country 65 years ago.

Michelle Wood, the vice chairwoman of the Australian Republic Movement, told Sky News she welcomes the couple's visit and even watched their wedding on television, but she believes people in Australia deserve a choice about who should be their head of state.

She said: "We're hearing from all of our supporters which are growing in numbers and growing in voice that the time has come to cut the apron strings if you like and move away and become an independent country with an Australian in the top job."

Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games for disabled and wounded soldiers on Saturday during a moving opening ceremony on the forecourt of Sydney's Opera House.

Welcoming more than 500 competitors from 18 nations to the event he founded, he said: "Invictus has become about the example of service and dedication our competitors have provided to the world.

"Our Invictus family has turned these Games into a symbol of strength, honour and optimism for a new generation."

He said the concept was particularly relevant in 2018 - the centenary of the end of the First World War.

"It feels a fitting tribute to the legacy of that generation to continue to support those who have served their country."

On Friday, Prince Harry was followed by Australian news helicopters and TV cameras as he climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

About 134m above Sydney Harbour, he was joined at the top of the bridge by Mr Morrison to raise a flag to celebrate the arrival of the Invictus Games in the city.

The event officially gets under way on Saturday night with the opening ceremony at the Sydney Opera House.

Abolishing the monarchy is a big political talking point in Australia, with politicians using it as a way to attract votes, much more than in the UK.

Polls suggest the appetite for a republic have fallen since a failed referendum in 1999.

But Bill Shorten, the leader of the main opposition party, has promised another vote if his Labor Party gets into power.

In May this year, a poll among Australians named Prince Harry as their favourite royal ahead of Prince William, the Queen and Prince Charles, who would be their future king.

There does appear to be a reluctance to hold a referendum on abolishing the monarchy while the Queen is still alive.

Earlier in the day Harry and Meghan hit Bondi beach to embrace Aussie life.

They met up with a group called One Wave who are helping to "turn the tide" in the campaign to raise awareness of mental illness.

They heard about a weekly event called "Fluro Friday" where they use surfing and yoga as a way to relax and share their problems.

Charlotte Connell, who was there with her two-year-old son Finn, said Meghan had told the group she had been up at 4.30am doing yoga despite the jet lag.

Joel Pilgrim, a mental health occupational therapist who set up the Waves of Wellness Foundation, said Prince Harry told them "reaching out for help is not a weakness, it's a strength".

He added: "Having them as a part of today, and being able to demonstrate that the monarchy is still part of Australia, they're playing a really special role in tapping into what we're doing on the ground and that's special."