Royal visit a final slap for Tony Abbott

WELL, this could be awkward. Royal couple will be hosted by republican Turnbull instead of the man who’s knighthood of Charles’s dad helped get him the sack.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: (L-R) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attends the Drumhead Service during the 70th Anniversary commemorations of VJ Day (Victory over Japan) on Horse Guards Parade August 15, 2015 in London, England. on August The event marks the 70th anniversary of the surrender of Japanese Forces, bringing about the end of World War II. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh will join British Prime Minister David Cameron and former prisoners of war during services throughout the day as tributes are made to the the estimated 71,244 British and Commonwealth casualties of the Far East conflict. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945 at a ceremony in Tokyo Bay on USS Missouri. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images)

IT’S yet another quirk of fate which will add to the unhappiness of deposed leader Tony Abbott.

In his two years as an archly monarchist prime minister, if Mr Abbott wanted to see top royals he had to go to them.

But that’s not the case of his republican successor Malcolm Turnbull. The heir to the throne is coming to him.

Next month Mr Turnbull will welcome Charles, the Prince of Wales, and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, for a five-day Australian visit.

“I look forward to joining their Royal Highnesses to mark Remembrance Day in Canberra in our centenary year of the Anzacs,” Mr Turnbull said in a statement.

“Lucy and I will be delighted to welcome the Prince and Duchess and expect Australians will be eager to display our country’s hospitality to the Royal couple.”

If Mr Abbott had held on to his job, the Charles visit would have completed royal bookends to his year, which began with him awarding an Australian knighthood to Prince Phillip, Charles’s father.

But that plan was cruelled four weeks ago.

Mr Abbott did get to host Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge in April 2014, and Prince Harry on his two visits during his prime ministership. However, his only encounters as PM with Prince Charles were overseas. Both men officiated at this year’s dawn ceremonies at Gallipoli.

The previous June they had again been brought together by a past war when they participated at D-Day commemorations.

It could be that these meetings led to the plans for Prince Charles to visit Australia to an enthusiastic reception from a monarchist PM.

Instead it will be Malcolm Turnbull at the bottom of the aircraft steps, or out the front of Parliament House.

Mr Abbott later this month will be in London to deliver the Margaret Thatcher lecture commemorating the former British Conservative prime minister.

The speculation is he might also be able to schedule a royal meeting during the private visit.

This will be the second joint visit by Charles and Camilla but the 14th trip to Australia by the Prince.

Joe Hockey and Tony Abbott sit on the backbench after losing their jobs.