King Charles 'will not stand in the way' if Australia wants to replace him as head of state

The King has, through his assistant private secretary, told the Australian Republic Movement the country's potentially becoming a republic as a matter for them to decide

The King has told republican campaigners he would not interfere if Australia one day voted to remove him as head of state.

Charles and Queen Camilla ’s week-long Royal Visit Down Under starts next Friday, which will also include a trip to Samoa as his first to a realm as King. Rumblings have been made from some in Australia for several years to have the Royal Family removed as head of state, dating back to the Queen.

Ahead of the trip, the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) had written to Buckingham Palace to request a meeting. In a reply, the King said it was a “matter for the Australian public” to decide.

Dr Nathan Ross, assistant private secretary to the King, wrote: “Please be assured your views on this matter have been noted very carefully. His Majesty, as a constitutional monarch, acts on the advice of his ministers, and whether Australia becomes a republic is, therefore, a matter for the Australian public to decide.”

In 2022, at the time of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Sydney MP Matt Thistlethwaite raised the prospect of a referendum on whether to replace the then monarch as head of state. He said at the time, Charles becoming King would be the “natural point…when a lot of Australians would say, ‘...it’s now time for us to look to the future’".

He added: “Australians revere the Queen. I’ve got a lot of respect for her and she is very much loved in our nation. Now it’s time for us to stand on our own two feet. We’ve got our own identity and culture. We’re a confident, mature nation. Surely we can appoint one of our own as our head of state for the future.

“I see my role as one of trying to unite Australians around our future and looking to take the next step for our nation on the journey to independence. As the Queen’s reign comes to its twilight years Australians will naturally start to think, ‘Well what’s next for us?’"

As part of next week’s trip to Australia, the King will meet Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolye to hear about the work they do to help those affected by melanoma after his own cancer fight. Their Majesties will attend a community barbecue in Western Sydney, sampling a range of produce from across New South Wales.

Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment by the Mirror.