Will the Queen’s Birthday public holiday change now that Charles is King?
While the date changes depending on the state or territory, now that King Charles III has taken the throne, here’s what will likely happen to the long weekend.
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With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III has officially become the King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms.
But the changing of the throne has raised questions for Australians over what happens to our official Queen’s Birthday public holiday and long weekend.
While the name will be slightly tweaked to the King’s Birthday public holiday, the date will likely remain the same.
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In Australia, the Queen’s Birthday public holiday is celebrated on different dates depending on the state or territory. In South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, this falls on the second Monday of June. It also marks the date where the Queen’s Birthday honours list is announced, recognising those awarded in the Order of Australia.
In Queensland however, the public holiday is celebrated on the first Monday in October, whereas in Western Australia it falls on the last Monday of September.
The different dates are because public holidays in Australia come under the jurisdiction of state and territory governments and can be changed by those authorities.
For example, in Queensland, the Queen’s Birthday public holiday was shifted from June to October in 2015, after the Labor government reversed the decision to move Labour Day from October to May.
Notably, none of these dates coincide with the Queen’s actual birthday, which falls on April 21.
In the UK, the monarch’s birthday is marked by the Trooping of the Colour parade, or the Queen's Birthday parade, which marks the official birthday of the sitting British Sovereign.
The celebrations are normally held on the second Monday of June, however in 2022 it was celebrated on June 2 to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and her 70-year reign.
While these dates also don’t align with the Queen’s actual birthday, the tradition extends back to 1748, in a decision made by King George III. While his birthday fell on November 10, he moved the celebrations to the end of May, or early June to coincide with the summer months.
This tradition will more than likely be continued now that King Charles III, whose birthday is on November 14, has taken the throne.
According to leaked plans that were prepared for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Australians could also get a public holiday to commemorate the Queen’s passing.
A national day of commemoration, likely to be a public holiday, could form part of Australia’s response to the news, The Australian revealed.
All Commonwealth countries will also observe 10 days of mourning and remembrance, which means our flags will be flown at half-mast.
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday night at 8.30pm local time (3.30am, Friday AEDT). She was the longest serving British monarch, with her reign surpassing 70 years after she ascended the throne at the age of 25.
Originally published as Will the Queen’s Birthday public holiday change now that Charles is King?
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