A battle royal is brewing over which of King Charles’s representatives in Australia will host the monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, when they visit in October.
While exact details are yet to be confirmed, it is almost certain the Royals will spend just six days in Australia, split between Canberra and Sydney, with Melbourne and other major cities likely to be skipped.
As the King does not stay in hotels, it makes perfect sense for the royal couple to be welcomed by Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn at his official residence, Government House in Yarralumla, while in Canberra.
But where the King and Queen stay while in Sydney is more complicated, as they have a variety of royal properties to choose from.
Will they again stay with Ms Mostyn, who has a lovely second home called Admiralty House in Kirribilli on Sydney’s north shore?
Or will they be guests of New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley at her official residence, New South Wales Government House, which sits across Sydney Harbour behind the Opera House?
While Ms Mostyn is the official representative of King Charles III in Australia, Ms Beazley represents New South Wales and is the current host of the country’s oldest constitutional office.
Whoever hosts the King, 75, and Queen, 76, when they are in Sydney will no doubt also be able to throw a royal party in the garden of their compound.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III are pictured with Princess Anne and Prince Andrew.
What could sway Charles and Camilla’s vote to remain in Ms Beazley’s household is that Ms Mostyn, while representing the Australian head of state in Australia, is a republican who would like to see her position replaced one day.
The visit will be Charles’ first to Australia since becoming king and the first by a reigning monarch since 2011, when Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
He had visited the country 15 times previously and in 1966 spent time at a school in Victoria.
New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley (pictured) is expected to host the royals at her official residence, New South Wales Government House in Sydney.
The King and Queen will stay with Governor-General Sam Mostyn (pictured) in Canberra, but could also stay at their Sydney harbourside home, Admiralty House.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said planning for the visit was well advanced.
“I am honoured to welcome the King and Queen on their first royal visit to Australia later this year – they are always welcome visitors,” he said.
‘The King has a deep respect for our great nation and has always spoken glowingly of his time here and the astonishing beauty of our extraordinary continent.
“I look forward to welcoming the King and Queen back to Australia for this important visit.”
