Royal Family snubs Australia Day amid debate about nation becoming a republic

King Charles and his royal counterparts have failed to acknowledge Australia Day as debate continues about whether the nation should be become a republic.

The royal family, Clarence House and Kensington Palace, all of whom post regularly on social media, were silent about January 26 in a curious move under the new reign of King Charles. Picture: Getty Images

The royal family snubbed Australia Day for the first time in nearly a decade by failing to acknowledge the historical day on any of their official social media accounts.

The royal family, Clarence House and Kensington Palace, all of whom post regularly on social media, were silent about January 26 in a curious move under the new reign of King Charles.

Typically, the royal family has posted every year about Australia Day since at least 2015 on their ­official royal accounts, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, often publishing photographs of the Queen and images of Australia and the Australian flag.

No official public Australia Day messages from the King or Buckingham Palace were published via Governor-General David Hurley’s office either.

In 2022, the royal family’s official social media accounts posted a series of images of the Queen with the message: “To mark Australia Day we are sharing images of The Queen on some of her many visits to Australia. Her Majesty visiting Australia in 2000, 2006 and 2011.”

Buckingham Palace was contacted by The Australian for ­comment on the weekend, but did not respond.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 last year, aged 96, and her death invariably revived discussions about whether Australia should remain a constitutional monarchy or become a republic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese avoided answering questions recently about any move to a republic, saying he was focused on a Voice to Parliament and not whether Australia should ditch its historical ties to the monarchy.

A poll by Resolve Strategic, published in Nine’s Newspapers last week, showed there was increasing support for Australia to become a republic – rising from 36 to 39 per cent since the Queen’s death.

On January 25, the Prince and Princess of Wales acknowledged neighbouring commonwealth country New Zealand, thanking Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her service and support after she announced her resignation.