This Monday the 21st of October I’ll be in Canberra for an audience with our King, Charles the Third by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.  That official title may seem a mouthful but not as tasteless as the republicans touting Their Majesties’ visit as a ‘farewell tour’. Musicians like John Farnham are notorious for having multiple farewell tours!

I am disappointed by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s rebuff to Their Majesties, declining an invitation to be in Canberra this Monday for a reception.  She was in bad company, with most of the Premiers declining the summons to Canberra.  Parliamentarians swear allegiance to the Crown in taking their seat in parliament, yet when Their Majesties first visit in that capacity, Premiers and Parliamentarians alike are too busy politicking.

Our successful, stable and peaceful democracy is founded on our constitutional monarchy and we neglect our constitution and heritage at our peril. His Majesty Charles the Third is also King of New Zealand, Canada, Papua New Guinea, many West Indies nations comprising 15 Commonwealth Realms, and a further 41 nations are members of the Commonwealth.

Regrettably but understandably with a tight schedule, Their Majesties the King and Queen are unable to visit Swan Hill, as Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth the Second did on the 7th of April 1970.  Her Majesty visited Australia 16 times over 57 years, whereas this week’s Royal Visit is King Charles III’s seventeenth in 58 years.  His first, some may remember, was in 1966 as a boarder exchange student aged 17 ½ at Geelong Grammar School.

Countless community organisations mount a portrait of the King in their meeting rooms and had to be patient waiting for a new royal portrait after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and His Majesty’s accession. If your community group would like to order a copy, feel free to reach out through www.annewebster.com.au.

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