Turnbull to have hand in Charles’ fate

Malcolm Turnbull will be involved in negotiations to decide if Prince Charles will take over one of the Queen’s major roles.

The PM will be part of a “consensus” discussion. Picture: A Carlile

Malcolm Turnbull will be involved in Commonwealth leader’s negotiations on Friday at Windsor Castle to decide if Prince Charles is to succeed the Queen as the next head of the Commonwealth.

It now seems certain the Prince will become the head of the Commonwealth as the Queen withdraws from a significant role and reduces her responsibility as Queen ahead of her 92nd birthday on Saturday.

The Prime Minister will be part of a “consensus” discussion of all 53 Commonwealth leaders in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this week which has been officially confirmed as the Queen’s last meeting as head of the Commonwealth.

Despite some suggestions within the Commonwealth that there should be a ballot to democratically elect a replacement for the Queen and British Labour Party Opposition to Prince Charles taking over the role Theresa May and the Commonwealth secretariat have confirmed succession to the Prince is the preferred option and there

will be no ballot.

Australia’s position is to support Prince Charles in the unprecedented

replacement of the head of the Commonwealth, a role the Queen began in 1949 and has held ever since.

Mr Turnbull has previously endorsed an undertaking from former Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard that Australia will support Prince Charles’ succession.

Although Australian Labor wants a republican referendum in its first term if elected Bill Shorten has also endorsed Prince Charles as head of the commonwealth and pledged Australia will remain part of the Commonwealth.