PM ‘struck by King’s extraordinarily fitting words’ amid wreath-laying in Canberra

Anthony Albanese has responded to the new monarch’s speech after a ceremony for the Queen at Parliament House.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Katy Gallagher places a wreath at Queen's Terrace at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Anthony Albanese has responded to the first televised speech by King Charles III, reflecting on the admiration and respect which Queen Elizabeth II inspired within her own family, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world.

Following a wreath laying ceremony at Parliament House attended by Peter Dutton and a host of diplomats — including the Chinese ambassador — the Prime Minister made a few short remarks.

“I want to thank all those, particularly those from the diplomatic corps, who came to participate in the commemoration and the laying of the wreaths here this morning,” Mr Albanese said. “It says something about the way that the Queen was admired around the world as not just our head of state, the head of the Commonwealth, but for her enormous contribution over 70 years as the longest ever sovereign of the United Kingdom and of the Commonwealth.”

Peter Dutton, Katy Gallagher, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Linda Hurley, David Hurley and Andrew Barr on the Queen's Terrace. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I think there have been many moving tributes to the contribution of Queen Elizabeth, but none more so than from King Charles III. King Charles of course was paying tribute not just to the sovereign but to his beloved mother.

“And it was such extraordinarily fitting words. It struck me in particular that his words where he said ‘the affection, admiration and the respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.’

“And that’s why so many Australians have made moving tributes and are mourning this enormous loss. And I again reiterate on behalf of the people of Australia our sympathy for the royal family for their personal loss as well as to the people of the United Kingdom and the people of the Commonwealth in particular, but also the whole world, for what is an enormous loss.

Governor-General of Australia David Hurley meets Mr Albanese at Parliament House for the ceremony. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Queen Elizabeth reigned for 70 years in an era of enormous change, she was a constant reassuring presence with her compassion, her decency, her commitment to service which is an absolute inspiration and which King Charles has referred to in his remarks paying tribute to his late mother.

“I do want to say as well that ... King Charles, I join with him when he said he thanked her for the love of her family but also the family of nations. And I think that is certainly true.

“I had the opportunity last night as well to speak with the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss. I’d met Liz Truss in Madrid at the NATO summit. And we talked about the depth of mourning that is occuring in the United Kingdom.

“But I also conveyed the feeling, the depth of sadness of the Australian people at the loss of Queen Elizabeth the Second. We will meet when I am in the United Kingdom.”