Anthony Albanese’s secret letters to King Charles replete with affection, esteem, respect
Despite still having an assistant minister for the republic, secret letters reveal the depth of republican Anthony Albanese’s warmth and affection for King Charles.
Anthony Albanese told the King, in a confidential letter sent to the monarch after his cancer diagnosis, that he was “a compassionate, thoughtful friend of Australia” who occupied a special place in the hearts of Australians and inspired “esteem and affection”.
A series of letters from the republican Prime Minister to the monarch of Britain and its realms, including Australia, has been released exclusively to The Australian following a Freedom of Information request.
Despite his having an assistant minister for the republic in his government, Mr Albanese’s letters reveal the depth of his respect for Charles; in one piece of correspondence, he says the King has served the nation and the Commonwealth with “energy, integrity, empathy and love”.
The disclosure of the letters comes as Mr Albanese is to recommend appointment of a governor-general to succeed David Hurley, who marks five years in the role in July.
The last of Mr Albanese’s missives to the King came in the darkest days of his short reign, as Charles was coming to terms with being the first monarch to publicly reveal he was battling cancer. “I send my sincere wishes for your full and speedy recovery,” Mr Albanese wrote to him in February.
“Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
“From birth and boyhood until today, you have found a place in the hearts of Australians and have always reached out to us in our country’s toughest moments.
“Your commitment to the progress and prosperity of our nation comes from a deep understanding of the hopes and aspirations of our people.
“Australia celebrated your coronation in 2023 as a new chapter in your relationship with our nation. As monarch, and a compassionate and thoughtful friend of Australia, your majesty inspires our esteem and affection.”
The decision to grant access to correspondence between Mr Albanese and Charles was approved by the Prime Minister’s office on behalf of the Prime Minister.
The Australian was told the decision had regard to the terms of the request, legislation and guidelines for FOI.
However, more than 20 items of direct correspondence from former prime ministers Scott Morrison, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott sent directly to Queen Elizabeth II have been blocked from public release by Mr Albanese’s department. This decision is inconsistent with the transparency and accountability demonstrated by his office.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet refused an FOI request seeking access to past correspondence because disclosure would apparently damage international relations, even though the Queen is deceased and the prime ministers are no longer in office. This decision was upheld on review.
Mr Albanese also wrote to Charles and Queen Camilla at the time of their coronation last May to offer “the congratulations and good wishes” of all Australians and noted their commitment to serving Britain and the Commonwealth. “Australia’s respect and regard for you, your family, and the principles you have pledged to uphold, remains firm,” he wrote.
“We welcome your commitment to the institutions of democracy and the values of freedom and responsibility that underpin them.
“We also cherish the relationship which you personally have with our country, having spent time here during your school years, and having visited many times since.
“We look forward to welcoming you to our shores again.”
“Seventy years as sovereign is a towering record,” the Prime Minister wrote to the King.
“Yet what will always stand tallest in our hearts and our memories is the commitment and spirit of service that the queen brought to her role, and the pride and sense of unity that she engendered.
“The queen will always have a special place in the hearts of Australians.
“Whether she was here among us during one of her many visits, or by her simply letting us know that we were in her thoughts, she was an enduring presence in our lives.
“She celebrated our good times, and stood with us in our bad times, bringing sympathy and comfort when it was so badly needed.”
Mr Albanese concluded by noting his “gratitude” to the new King for his service to Australia over many decades and stated that all Australians were “fortunate” that he “will remain an integral part of our national story.”
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