Australian politicians have been criticised for their “embarrassing” decision to snub King Charles and Queen Camilla ahead of their anticipated tour of the nation.
In his first trip as monarch, the King announced he is pausing his ongoing cancer treatment to embark on the 11-day tour.
However, all state premiers have declined invitations to attend Charles and Camilla’s welcome event in Canberra on October 21, citing other engagements as their reason.
With tensions still remaining as to whether Australia will depart from the Commonwealth and become a Republic, the move has been dubbed a “slap in the face” for the King by the Australian Monarchists League Victorian spokesman, Bev McArthur.
King Charles has been ‘snubbed’ by multiple Australian premiers just days before his Australia tour
PA
Delivering her verdict on the move, Australian Journalist Sophie Elsworth said it is “not a good look” for the country, given the trip by the King has been “planned for months”.
Elsworth explained: “The leaders of our six states here have got other commitments and won’t be meeting with King Charles on Monday. And it’s really quite embarrassing because the King’s visit has been in the works for some months now.
“They should have cleared their schedules, because I think it’s highly appropriate that they do meet with him. He is our head of state.”
Highlighting the importance of the visit, given the King’s health and his ongoing treatment for cancer, Elsworth noted that it is “the right thing” for the delegates to attend, as the monarch has risked his own health to make the trip happen.
The King stepped out in London on Monday night for the International Investment Summit reception alongside Sir Keir Starmer
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Elsworth told GB News: “This is an important visit Down Under. He has not been here with Queen Camilla since 2018 and particularly with his health issues that he is battling.
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“It is the right thing to do to represent our states and visit and meet with him, but they all seem to come up with excuses.”
Weighing in on the snub, host Patrick Christys claimed it was “offensive” of the state premiers to make such a move against the King and Queen.
He added: “I actually do think it’s quite offensive for a man who is taking a break from cancer treatment to go and press the flesh of the Aussies, which I think remain a tremendous ally with us on the world stage.
“To have such a sheer volume of people willing to snub him is. I know it’s not particularly nice, is it really?”
Sophie Elsworth says it is ’embarrassing’ for the delegates to not meet with the King and Queen
GB News
Elsworth agreed, responding: “It’s not really, Patrick, but five of the six state premiers here are of the Labour Party, of the left leaning Labour Party. And so they’re not on the Conservative side of politics.
“So that might explain some of the reasons behind their political views, why they are not attending to meet King Charles.”
Discussing the monarch’s upcoming trip, Elsworth also claimed the itinerary of the tour is “secretive”, with not many details being revealed to Australian press.
She said: “He’s arriving here Australian time on Friday night. He may even show up at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday.
“His schedules are pretty secretive, we only have minimal details on some of the things he will attend, but I think there are people very seriously questioning why the premiers are not making the time to meet with King Charles.”