On his six-day royal tour, King Charles III, now 75-years-old, experienced an apparent diplomatic snub from several Australian politicians. The tour started on Friday, October 18, 2024. In a reception held in Canberra on October 21 to honor the King and Queen Camilla, no state premiers were present, a move interpreted by some as a slight to the British monarchy.

The reception marked King Charles’s first visit as King to Australia and was designed to unite community leaders, noted personalities, and cultural figures. However, the absence of many senior political figures, including all state premiers, who cited various scheduling conflicts, was seen by some as a sign of disrespect.

The reasons for this lack of attendance vary across the political spectrum. For instance, Queensland’s Premier Steven Miles was occupied with his election campaign, while cabinet commitments caused Western Australia Premier Roger Cook, South Australia’s Peter Malinauskas, and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns to decline their invitations. Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan sent a junior representative on her behalf, and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was also not available. Meanwhile, during the King’s visit, Tasmania’s Premier Jeremy Rockliff was in the United States on a trade mission.

This lack of political engagement coincides with ongoing debates regarding the monarchy’s future role in Australia. Data suggests that support for an Australian republic has fallen under King Charles, with only a third of Australians favoring the move, down from the 39.4% who supported the idea in the 1999 referendum. Regardless of the political coolness, King Charles remains committed to fortifying relations with Australia, where he has traditionally been well-liked.

While King Charles has visited Australia 17 times, this trip marks his first visit as king following his coronation in September 2022. King Charles and Queen Camilla are participating in numerous public events to highlight their charitable work, including initiatives focused on environmental conservation and domestic violence prevention. The tour also features a visit to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

However, King Charles’s health has been a concern. Earlier this year, he announced he was fighting cancer and was undergoing regular treatment in London. To allow his participation in the Australian tour, King Charles has temporarily paused his treatments. Some see his decision to proceed with the tour as a demonstration of his determination to continue his royal duties despite his health issues.

Even though adjustments were made to the King’s itinerary to accommodate his health, the tour presents a significant challenge. Australian media will be closely observing the King’s ability to handle a demanding schedule. The Royal Family is conscious that any deviation, such as a canceled event or a public health incident, could spark concerns about the King’s long-term capability to perform his duties.

King Charles’s arrival at Parliament House in Canberra was marked by a 21-gun salute. During his address, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commended the royal couple for their philanthropic work. He also acknowledged the King’s early recognition of the critical issue of climate change and the urgent need for substantial and effective measures to combat it.

However, after the King’s speech, Senator Lidia Thorpe, an Indigenous Australian, shouted “You are not my King” at the King. From the back of the room, she yelled at the royal couple, “Return our land, return what you took,” as security personnel moved to escort her out.

Despite a traditional Aboriginal welcoming ceremony that took place outside Parliament House for the royal couple, many members of the nation’s Indigenous community did not genuinely welcome them.

These actions highlight the ongoing grievances Indigenous Australians have against the monarchy, rooted in the long history of British colonization of the continent.

On Monday, October 21, as the royal couple toured the Australian War Memorial, demonstrators gathered with an Aboriginal flag. A 62-year-old man was arrested for failing to comply with a police directive.