King Charles’s first tour of Australia since ascending the throne may not have got off to the best of starts – arriving in a rain-sodden Sydney – but it won’t dampen his resolve to ensure the mammoth trip is a success.
It marks his first trip to one of the 14 realms where he remains Head of State, and His Majesty is all too aware of its importance – both at home and abroad.
Earlier this year it was unclear whether the trip would go ahead following the King’s cancer diagnosis.
But as with the rest of his work, he has been determined to return to as normal schedule as possible – and a trip to Australia was of personal importance to the King.
The itinerary is different to previous tours, with no evening engagements, state dinners or trips late in the afternoon.
King Charles arrived just after a deluge of rain (Image: Getty)
It has also been significantly scaled back, with a planned leg to New Zealand scrapped and engagements planned carefully to allow sufficient time for the King to rest.
Tomorrow the King and Queen have a “down day” as they adjust to a punishing time difference and rest after spending 24 hours in the air.
But the fact his doctors have given him the go-ahead to travel long-haul and pause his cancer treatment while he is away is the most reassuring sign yet that his reign is returning to business as normal.
Aides are hoping to showcase the monarch at his best during his six days in Australia, looking well, and highlighting the issues he cares about – while also showing he is in touch with Australia and its needs.
The King will also need to embrace the soft diplomacy that comes hand-in-hand with any royal tour, as the couple arrive as questions about the monarchy’s relevance are becoming increasingly vocal.
The Sydney Opera House lit up with images of previous royal tours (Image: Getty)
The Sydney Opera House is showing a four-minute montage (Image: Getty)
While those in favour of ditching the monarchy are becoming increasingly vocal, the depth of support doesn’t quite match up, as recent polling found just a third of Australians were in favour of becoming a republic, compared to 45% in support of remaining a constitutional monarchy.
But perhaps the issue rests with those who are indifferent, as many people in Sydney appear unaware that the royal tour is even taking place.
For them, a discussion on the future of the monarchy just isn’t a priority for many amid the cost-of-living crisis.
This is why it is so important for the King to showcase the best the Royal Family has to offer – and he trip has been meticulously planned to bolster the monarchy against an increasingly disinterested Australian public.
Only time will tell if the pomp and ceremony of a six-day royal tour will be enough to cement the monarchy’s future Down Under, as without the support of such a key realm, other nations are likely to follow.
King Charles’s tour of Australia comes at a pivotal moment for both the monarchy and its relationship with one of its most prominent realms. His first visit as monarch was met with mixed reactions—rain in Sydney on his arrival and an indifferent public mood—but Charles is determined to make the trip a success. This journey holds significant symbolic and diplomatic weight as he seeks to reinforce his relevance in a nation where support for the monarchy is waning.
Although Australia remains one of the 14 realms where King Charles is Head of State, debates about the monarchy’s future are growing louder. While a recent poll showed only a third of Australians in favor of becoming a republic, it’s clear that many citizens are ambivalent, with more pressing concerns such as the cost-of-living crisis dominating public discourse.
The tour, scaled back from its original scope and designed to accommodate the King’s health, is nonetheless intended to highlight the positive aspects of the monarchy. With no state dinners or late-night events on the itinerary, the focus is on showcasing Charles’s enduring commitment to key issues, particularly those that resonate with Australians, like environmental conservation. His team is keen to present the King at his best—energetic, in touch, and dedicated.
The tour also comes after Charles’s battle with cancer earlier this year, casting a spotlight on his determination to return to a full schedule. The fact that his doctors allowed him to travel long-haul and suspend his treatment is a reassuring sign of his resilience. With this visit, Charles hopes to demonstrate that the monarchy can still serve as a force for good and remain relevant in modern Australia.
As the King and Queen settle into their six-day tour, attention will turn to how well they can capture the hearts of the Australian public. While support for republicanism remains steady, there is still a sizeable portion of the population that sees value in maintaining the constitutional monarchy. However, the King’s ability to engage with an increasingly indifferent populace could be the deciding factor in whether Australia chooses to remain a monarchy in the years to come.
Ultimately, this visit could have broader implications for the monarchy’s future beyond Australia. If Charles can reinvigorate support in one of its most significant realms, it could stave off similar movements in other Commonwealth countries. But if the royal family struggles to connect, it may signal a shift that could ripple throughout the remaining monarchic nations. The success or failure of this tour could very well shape the legacy of King Charles’s reign.
