Why King Charles’ Aussie tour will make or break the monarchy

Fewer people want Australia to become a republic than when Queen Elizabeth was alive, but Charles has more work to do to secure the role of the monarchy.

OPINION

You wouldn’t think the average Aussie would be that keen on King Charles.

After all, he’s an old, very privileged man, who lives in multiple castles on the other side of the world, occasionally travels by golden carriage and has a weird attachment to his teddy bear, if you believe his son’s tell-all memoir.

On paper he’s not exactly relatable.

Nevertheless, fewer people today want Australia to become a republic than when Queen Elizabeth was head of ‘The Firm’, according to a survey. And one in four said they have a more favourable view of Charles now, than before he was crowned.

That was not how the pendulum of public opinion was predicted to swing prior to his tenure as King. In fact, the doomsayers said it would be the beginning of the end for the monarchy.

So what has Charles done right that makes Aussies accept, in lieu of any better ideas, that “he’ll do” as head of state for the time being?

Britain's King Charles III is hugged by members of New Zealand's Black Ferns rugby union team, at Buckingham Palace in September. Picture: Aaron Chown/POOL/AFP

For starters, while his mother never put a foot wrong, Charles seems, well, more human. He has made mistakes, plenty of them. And, despite all the money in the world, life hasn’t always been a bed of roses.

His school years were hell due to relentless bullying. Later, under pressure to marry, he married the wrong person for him, had an affair and got a divorce.

After finally marrying the love of his life Camilla, now Queen, and finding a bit of contentment, his youngest son Harry decided to go rogue and blow up any pretence of happy families. They now have a strained relationship at best.

On top of that, after waiting an awfully long time for the top job, he got cancer.

Despite the ups and downs of life, Charles continues on.

As King he’s also doing it his way.

On paper, nothing about King Charles is relatable, but his favourability is soaring as he puts his own stamp on the monarchy. Picture: Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images

He’s not against the odd selfie opportunity, or a cuddle. Only last month did he break with tradition and accept a group hug from the New Zealand women’s rugby team, calling it ‘healing’.

It’s not something Queen Elizabeth would have contemplated.

Since becoming monarch, it’s his poor health that has kept Charles from visiting us sooner. He’s paused his cancer treatment for a week in order to come here.

Aussies love an underdog and a battler, so perhaps that’s why we’ve warmed to him.

So, if he can avoid any tanties – remember the leaky pen moment – and enjoy a few laughs with the crowd, he’ll do all right on this trip Down Under.

And, he might just be able to keep the republicans at bay for a little bit longer.

Originally published as Why King Charles’ Aussie tour will make or break the monarchy