Albo hints at climate talks with King Charles, as he ‘welcomes’ a royal visit
Here’s what Anthony Albanese and King Charles chatted about in their private meeting at Buckingham Palace.
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The red carpet has been rolled out for a royal visit to Australia by King Charles, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the new monarch was “always welcome”.
The Australian leader had a private meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace early on Sunday morning Australian time.
Mr Albanese had just hours earlier made the solemn journey through Westminster Hall to pay his respects to the Queen, viewing her coffin where it lies in state.
He spoke outside Buckingham Palace after his private meeting with the King, who made time for him during the monarch’s crowded schedule ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Mr Albanese, 59, confirmed that the door was always open for King Charles and the Royal Family to come to Australia, despite his personal leaning towards our nation becoming a republic.
“I was asked about had I invited King Charles to Australia – as the Australian head of state he is always a welcome visitor and he always has been to Australia,” Mr Albanese said.
“I do intend to have further discussions with King Charles.”
The Daily Telegraph reported this week that there had been discussions on a royal visit to Sydney in 2024 prior to King Charles taking the throne.
Back room staff have also been in talks about a visit from Prince William and Kate, who had to cancel a trip in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
King Charles was “very conscious of the connection the Queen had with Australia,” Mr Albanese said.
Private meetings with the monarch must remain off the record, a long standing protocol that also applied during Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
But Mr Albanese, 59, who has campaigned on climate and environmental causes, gave a hint that those issues were part of the chat with King Charles, 73.
“I’m not going to discuss any of that detail, protocol requires that, but King Charles of course has been on the record of his views over a very long period of time about environmental issues and including about climate change,” he said.
Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in 2010 that Australia would become a republic after the death of Queen Elizabeth, which has reignited debate this week.
One of Mr Albanese’s first appointments was putting Sydney MP Matthew Thistlethwaite as an “assistant minister for the republic” in May.
Mr Albanese said he had not changed his personal views on the monarchy, despite receiving extraordinary access to the King, and witnessing the outpouring of grief for the Queen on the streets of London.
“No, I think this is something that is about respect for Queen Elizabeth and her quite extraordinary service over 70 years and that’s something that I’ve admired and respected for a long period of time,” he said
“And the fact that she continued to serve with such extraordinary diligence and commitment and sense of duty is something that is reflective of her generation as well.”
The nine Australians that the Royal Family invited to the funeral were due to have lunch with the Prime Minister at Australia House on the Strand on Sunday London time.
Mr Albanese was also due to attend a reception with other world leaders at Buckingham Palace on Sunday evening London time.
He also discussed trade and Australia’s defence links with British Prime Minister Liz Truss at her home in Kent, south east England.
The meeting was the second face-to-face chat he has had with Ms Truss, but her first since she took on the top job just two days before the Queen’s death.
stephen.drill@news.com.au
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