King Charles III ‘possible’ trip to Australia will not include visits to all states and territories

If King Charles III visits Australia this year he can’t travel to every state and territory. NSW Premier Chris Minns has no need to hard sell Sydney — “the greatest city on earth”. Here’s how the federal government will work out who gets a visit.

As premiers and chief ministers are asked to make a pitch for why King Charles III should experience the best of their state or territory on his first official visit to Australia since taking the throne, NSW Premier Chris Minns says it’s simple: King Charles III could not possibly visit Australia without making a stop into “the greatest city on earth.”.

The monarch, 75, who revealed he was diagnosed with cancer last month, had been expected to make the trip later this year prior to announcing his health battle, with plans currently underway assuming the royal visit goes ahead.

As part of these early preparations, the federal government will write to state and territory leaders to engage on where in the entirety of Australia the King should travel.

Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia is preparing for a “possible” visit “later this year”.

“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,” the Prime Minister said.

King Charles III is yet to visit Australia since he was crowned in May 2023. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/AFP

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

Mr Albanese said his government was “engaging with states and territories on options” for the itinerary.

Mr Minns said NSW would “love to have the King and Queen in Sydney.

King Charles III will travel with Queen Camilla if a royal visit to Australia goes ahead. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

“I don’t think you can come to the country without coming to NSW and particularly Sydney,” he said.

“I can promise two things. Firstly, I’m convinced he’d get a warm reception and secondly, it’s the greatest city on earth.

“I can imagine the Bicentenary of the Upper House is really important to the people in the Upper House (but) probably won’t be at the top of the list of reasons to come to Sydney, whether you’re the King and Queen or a tourist.”

Despite welcoming the monarch with open arms, the Premier said contributing to the King’s itinerary while visiting Australia was low on his priority list.

King Charles III has expressed his "heartfelt thanks" to wellwishers since his shock announcement he has cancer. Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP

“I’ve got a lot on my plate,” he said.

“I’m not going to be doing the King’s itinerary other than to say he’d be more than welcome in the state.”

FIRST ROYAL SINCE 2011

It would be the King’s first royal visit to Australia as sovereign, and the first visit by a reigning monarch since 2011.

About 13 years ago Queen Elizabeth visited Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

It is understood there is only a limited number of events the King, who would likely be accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, would be able to include in the one trip.

Therefor input from the state premiers and territory chief ministers will be crucial in deciding which jurisdiction gets chosen.

The King has made 15 official visits to Australia, most recently in 2018 to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

During this last visit he also travelled to Queensland and the Northern Territories, while his most recent visit to South Australia, NSW, the ACT and Western Australia was in 2015.

In his lifetime the King has visited all states and territories, starting with his first trip to Victorian in 1967, followed by many multistate trips including in 1977 and 1983 when he went to all eight jurisdictions.

Queen Camilla has visited Australia three times with the King, including for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, his 2015 visit and earlier in 2012 when the pair went to Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and the ACT.

Between 1954 and 2011, Queen Elizabeth and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh visited Australia 16 times, including every state and territory.

Originally published as King Charles III ‘possible’ trip to Australia will not include visits to all states and territories