King Charles has confirmed he won’t interfere if the Australian public votes to become a republic.
Ahead of his royal tour next week, the Australian Republic Movement sent a letter to Buckingham Palace requesting a meeting with the King.
Responding on behalf of King Charles, Secretary Dr Nathan Ross said he would not oppose if Australians did decide to remove him as head of state.
READ MORE: Jury finds ex-member of rock band Mr. Bungle guilty of killing his girlfriend
“His Majesty, as a constitutional monarch, acts on the advice of his Ministers, and whether Australia becomes a republic is therefore a matter for the Australian public to decide,” Ross said.
“Please be assured that your views on this matter have been noted very carefully.”
The monarch’s remarks come just days away from his royal tour Down Under with Queen Camilla.
READ MORE: One dead after pair hit by car at illegal Melbourne park rave
Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, Esther Anatolitis commended the monarch’s response, telling Weekend Today that Charles has proven to be “a progressive, contemporary kind of leader”.
But the national conversation around why Australia still has a King needed to be had in light of the visit, Anatolitis explained.
“It just doesn’t make sense for the role of head of state to be something that’s inherited by birthright,” she said.
The 1999 referendum saw Australians vote against becoming a republic by a margin of 55 per cent to 45 per cent.
Anatolitis said Australian Republic Movement research found that 92 per cent of Australians were open to a future as a Republic.
”We’re saying to Charles and Camilla, welcome, have a lovely time in our country and travel with good health and joy,” she said.
“But it really is time to wave goodbye to monarchy and look forward to a future Australian republic.”
links to content on ABC
9News
