King Charles’ First Trip Since Ascension, Talks Underway

Plans are under way for a possible visit to Australia by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The federal government has confirmed it is speaking with states and territories about a royal visit that could take place later in 2024.

While the King has scaled back on engagements following his cancer diagnosis, preparations were being made for the monarch’s first visit to Australia since taking the throne.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said plans were already under way on possible logistics for the visit.

“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,” he said.

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

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the King had a long connection with Australia, extending from his time attending Geelong Grammar.

“There is an affection for King Charles, I know King Charles has a deep affection for Australia,” he told ABC TV on Monday.

“A royal visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla later in the year would be a really, really tremendous and popular event and I do think that Australians would very much welcome seeing King Charles in our country.”

The visit by the King and Queen would be the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch since 2011.

The last such visit was when Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

King Charles has already made 15 visits to Australia, his last being in 2018 to open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and to visit parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The King has previously travelled to every state and territory, and it’s expected all jurisdictions will make requests for the monarch to visit them.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said Sydney was an obvious choice for the King to stop at.

“I mean, this is one of the greatest cities on earth and if you don’t come to Sydney then no one will believe that you came to Australia,” he told Seven’s Sunrise program.