Home Australia Harry and Meghan’s antics have helped restore Australia’s faith in the Monarchy, writes Angela Mollard. Our nations are united by ties of duty and family. As the brave King Charles is making clear…

Harry and Meghan’s antics have helped restore Australia’s faith in the Monarchy, writes Angela Mollard. Our nations are united by ties of duty and family. As the brave King Charles is making clear…

by Elijah
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Prince Charles attends Australia Day celebrations in London in 2011

“A possible tour” by King Charles to Australia later this year does not sound like news that will make us hang pennants or burst streamers.

At any other time, such an inconclusive announcement from the Australian Prime Minister’s office might suggest that the King has only vague interest in an excursion to the colonies.

And only if His Royal Highness does not receive a better offer.

The last two weeks of royal misfortune have changed all that. Right now, the idea that Charles might (just might) make his first visit to Australia since he became king is a bright light in an ocean of gloom.

Prince Charles attends Australia Day celebrations in London in 2011

Prince Charles attends Australia Day celebrations in London in 2011

Prince Charles holds a koala named Kao while Camilla holds a bear named Matilda at Government House in Adelaide in 2012.

Prince Charles holds a koala named Kao while Camilla holds a bear named Matilda at Government House in Adelaide in 2012.

Prince Charles holds a koala named Kao while Camilla holds a bear named Matilda at Government House in Adelaide in 2012.

The Prince of Wales uses a saw to cut down a tree during a trip to Timbertop, an annex to Geelong Grammar School in Victoria

The Prince of Wales uses a saw to cut down a tree during a trip to Timbertop, an annex to Geelong Grammar School in Victoria

The Prince of Wales uses a saw to cut down a tree during a trip to Timbertop, an annex to Geelong Grammar School in Victoria

Not only does it offer the first sign that 75-year-old King’s cancer treatment could eventually be successful, it underscores how important the relationship between the two nations remains, for both sides.

The King will miss the Commonwealth Day service next Monday as he continues to receive treatment, but he takes his role as head of the 56 member states very seriously.

He has even recorded a special message that will be broadcast around the world to mark the event.

In fact, his decision to go ahead with the planned trip to Australia speaks volumes about his desire to protect and maintain a shared relationship that, truth be told, is vital to both parties, no matter how many disputes have taken place along the way.

In the years leading up to Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, the conversation in Australia tended to assume that, while we respected Her Majesty, the same affection would not be extended to her son.

There was a growing expectation that the country would sever its ties with the monarchy and be governed by its own Head of State.

Not that anyone knew what this would look like, which partly explains why the referendum on a republic failed when it came to a vote in 1999.

A quarter of a century later, the push for independence has never seemed weaker.

Curiously, the crown and castle mischief that we were apparently so eager to get rid of has been replaced by something halfway between curiosity and respect.

Here, where the royal family is neither an institutional element nor a backdrop to daily life, the antics of recent years served largely as entertainment.

As Megxit unfolded, we watched from afar as if we were watching the Kardashians, only with crowns.

However, Sussex’s defection contributed little to the Republican cause.

Instead – and rather peculiarly – it seemed to weld our loyalty to this family divided by problems with the aging matriarch, a gradually rehabilitated heir, their two orphaned children and their glamorous wives.

Duty, service, steadfastness: those qualities we had so admired in the woman who reigned for 70 years were suddenly brought into focus with the antics of Harry and Meghan.

Here, in the land where anyone with tickets quickly loses size, the new king, his cheerful wife and the perfect Welsh family seemed the epitome of dignity and tireless hard work.

Here, where there is little respect for whining or posturing, Harry’s hypocrisy in constantly attacking his family while continuing to immerse himself in the titles and trappings he offers hasn’t won him any fans.

Our loyalty to Britain is based on characteristics that are as traditional as they are modern: shared values, togetherness, democracy, loyalty, jovial rivalry and, in these worrying global times, a deep commitment to peace.

In fact, when the palace announced that the king had cancer, even the Australian Republican Movement sent well wishes.

Prince Charles, wearing a fitting headdress, meets locals in the outback of Longreach, Queensland, in 2012.

Prince Charles, wearing a fitting headdress, meets locals in the outback of Longreach, Queensland, in 2012.

Prince Charles, wearing a fitting headdress, meets locals in the outback of Longreach, Queensland, in 2012.

The Prince was in a group of Geelong schoolchildren visiting the island of Papua New Guinea.

The Prince was in a group of Geelong schoolchildren visiting the island of Papua New Guinea.

The Prince was in a group of Geelong schoolchildren visiting the island of Papua New Guinea.

Announcing the “possible” royal visit yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the King had “shown compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his diagnosis of cancer”.

“The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia,” he said.

Post-cancer, Australia will be a soft landing place for the monarch who has always adored the continent since living here as a schoolboy. She considers her time at Geelong Grammar to be one of the happiest moments of her life and, without a doubt, the highlight of her studies.

“Frankly, it was by far the best part,” he said in a speech years later. They took the pieces of Pommy from me. Like chips from an old block.

Is it premature to announce a visit so soon after a cancer diagnosis?

Perhaps there was no choice in the matter. Planning a tour can take many months with multiple state and territory groups involved.

It could even coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held in Samoa in October.

In any case, it was probably only a matter of time before news of a visit leaked out.

No doubt, too, the King is interested in passing on some positive news, while, in the process, strengthening the relationship with a nation that has stood by Britain through wars, disasters and hotly contested sporting matches.

Charles may even want to match his mother’s tally of 16 tours in Australia. To date he has visited him 15 times.

As for his itinerary, Victoria (the state where he enjoyed his stay in Geelong) is likely to feature, not only because he hasn’t visited the country since 2012, but because illness, especially in old age, tends to make us reflective.

Tasmania could also attract with its beautiful landscape, sustainability projects and food culture. The cooler temperatures there would probably suit the Queen, who battled the 40-degree heat during the couple’s 2018 visit to Queensland and the Northern Territory.

As for how they will be received, interest in the royal family remains high.

The Australian Women’s Weekly continues to publish in-depth articles about the royal family and Sky News, where the focus is often on news and commentary, added a new weekly programme, The Royal Report, early last year.

In the newsroom, the ranking of top-rated stories often includes real news in the top five.

Laid-back Australia has long offered what royals crave: freedom from conformity, a quiet outdoor lifestyle, egalitarian social networks and large open spaces to breathe and re-evaluate.

It is where Lady Diana Spencer secretly hid in 1981 when she was considering a marriage proposal from Prince Charles.

It’s where Prince Harry spent time as a jackaroo, when he was 19 years old.

As he said in Spare, he liked herding cows. They were creatures that needed their space, she noted. Just like him.

Prince Charles shakes hands with students at Geelong High School in 2005. He spent time there in 1966 when he was a 17-year-old student.

Prince Charles shakes hands with students at Geelong High School in 2005. He spent time there in 1966 when he was a 17-year-old student.

Prince Charles shakes hands with students at Geelong High School in 2005. He spent time there in 1966 when he was a 17-year-old student.

Prince Charles and Diana wear hard hats and goggles for a 1985 visit to Alcoa's aluminum smelter project in Geelong.

Prince Charles and Diana wear hard hats and goggles for a 1985 visit to Alcoa's aluminum smelter project in Geelong.

Prince Charles and Diana wear hard hats and goggles for a 1985 visit to Alcoa’s aluminum smelter project in Geelong.

Magic Millions ambassador Zara Tindall participates in this year's January Barrera Draw

Magic Millions ambassador Zara Tindall participates in this year's January Barrera Draw

Magic Millions ambassador Zara Tindall participates in this year’s January Barrera Draw

The Tindalls have become regular visitors to Australia and their daughter claims to support the Wallabies, not the England rugby team.

The Tindalls have become regular visitors to Australia and their daughter claims to support the Wallabies, not the England rugby team.

The Tindalls have become regular visitors to Australia and their daughter claims to support the Wallabies, not the England rugby team.

It’s also a special place for the Tindalls.

Princess Anne’s daughter Zara met her rugby player husband Mike at the Manly Wharf Bar in 2003, when he was drowning his sorrows after being dropped from the England team before the World Cup semi-finals. .

The Tindalls have become regular and welcome visitors. In fact, when it comes to rugby, it seems his daughter Mia supports the Wallabies, not England.

This is a great moment for the British monarchy, but also for the British nation and for Australia. After all, family counts for something.

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