The Royal ReportOur politicians have given the King and Queen a royal snub ahead of their visit to Australia this week, a foreign organisation is under fire for allegedly funding anti-monarch protests, and Princess Catherine back in action for a trip to Southport.
Vincys who lay of report.
Good evening, Welcome to the Royal Report. I'm Caroline de Russo, coming up on the show tonight. The King and Queen arrive in Australia this week for their long anticipated rule tour, but some politicians have given them the rule snub.
We'll unpack that shortly.
A foreign organization is under fire for allegedly funding Australian protest action against the King.
Panel will discuss those details, and.
Princess Catherine is back in the action, joining Prince William on a recent visit to Southport. Russell Myers joins us from Sydney with the latest on that story. As I said, the King and Queen arrive in Australia late this week. They have a heavy schedule of events while still allowing the King some rest so he can better manage his health. More on that later when I chat to Russell Myers. But just yesterday, the Australian Republican Movement released a letter it received from the King's private secretary, politely declining to meet with them while he was in Australia. Despite declining the invitation, the letter said relevantly, please be assured that your views on this matter have been very carefully noted. 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. The Australian Republican Movement co chair est And Atalitis said in response, Charles, throughout his public life when he was Prince now as King, has championed a whole range of progressive causes. He's been outspoken about environmental destruction, about ecology, but also about democracy and integrity. He's someone who absolutely understands that when the moment comes for the Australian people to move towards a republic, he understands that does not change the deep cultural ties that we have with the people of.
The United Kingdom.
We don't leave the Commonwealth, we don't leave Orcas, etc. On becoming a republics Annatealita said, it was simply a matter of when. Well, that's a measured and respectful response and frankly the total antithesis to the snarky rubbish we're used to being dished up by the former chair Craig Foster.
That said, the federal government.
Has ruled out a referendum on the republic, still smarting from its loss on the Voice referendum exactly twelve months ago. Yesterday, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the Albertiezi.
Government had no intention of putting the matter.
To a vote in the foreseeable future, even if they won the next election. He also noted that we've just seen twelve months ago. It's very hard to successfully get a referendum up in Australia now. If only Labor had to shown that sort of humility before it took the country to the divisive Voice referendum.
In any event, the.
King's visit has invigorated all manner of wingy jaundice drivel from the left wing media.
The ABC released a podcast presented.
By day Mass still obsessing over the so called Palace letters and the dismissal of GoF Whitlam honestly just let it go. And The Guardian dredged up some story about the royal family not declaring gifts.
That's their take in all of this, that's their take.
It's disappointing but unsurprising from an outlet which revels in misery and confected moral outrage. But they're not the only ones who are struggling to measure up for the occasion. Many of our state premiers now apparently can't be bothered turning up. It's mostly hypocritical from the Victorian Premier Justin to Allan, who doesn't see any value in an audience with the King, but who was the very excited and honored Minister for Commonwealth Games delivery. Evidently her record on authenticity is as disible as her record on delivery, because we all know how she stuffed that up. The good news is that the rest of the country is either looking forward to the visit or they're ambivalent and indifferent to it, as only Australians can be on any It's a historic visit and it's worth taking note. Joining me now is News Corp colonist Angela Mollard and Royal commentator Pandora Foresight Angela.
The progressive media and political class. They have a huge chip on their shoulder when it comes to monarchy and they've really given themselves away.
Oh absolutely, I love what you've chronicled there in all those stories, Caroline, and in fact on Saturday I was contacted via text by a well known Australian media identity asking if I would join on board with some anti Monarker's sentiment on my social media highlighting the Australian Republic movement. And I thought the very first thing was, well, you have left your run a bit late, guys, like it's only days before the king comes out here. But you're absolutely right. And as to our politicians not meeting with the king, look, as well as being rude and disrespectful, we are currently a constitutional monarchy. As well as being disrespectful, I think it shows a lack of curiosity as well. I mean, there's a lot of things that the monarch at seventy five can talk to our ministers about. But I do think that the highly out of step. You know, the fact is that if you go out on the street of Australia. I've been reporting on the royals for years, there has never been more interest. And I think the fact that the Princess of Wales has had cancer, and of course the monarch has cancer, it's just poor timing, it's rude and it's insolent to the king.
I think so particularly they're ministers of the crown right like seriously, now, Pandora.
How does this look? How does this reflect back in the UK.
Look, I think that we're used to protests in the UK. I don't know if you've seen the news recently, but we're doing a lot of protesting recently, and the King himself outside other royal family members are used to going to events and they're being monarchists there, including Republic, so this won't come as a surprise to him. But I think lots of people are forgetting the special relationship that the King does have with Australia. This is his seventeenth visit to there, and the fact is he's not been given the all clear from cancer, and he's chosen to come to Australia a long way away from where his home is, and he's seventy five years old. He could have just said, look, I want somewhere closer to home for healthcare reasons. I know that's not an amazing look on Australia, but I think people would kind of understand. But yet he's traveling all that way to sort of, I guess, re solidify that relationship and I think people do need to bring that to the top of their minds when they think about this visit and of course he's going to have Camilla there, but they're used to protest. I think it's just part of the parcel now, and I think that is also a reflection on the fact that we're living in a modern monarchy. They know that there are these issues to address. It's a shame that some people aren't open to having the conversation with him about it.
But I'd say the Australian public are a bit more sanguine about this.
Angela.
Can you tell us about the poll that was released in the Herald Sun today.
That's right, it's a very contemporary, up to date poll, but what it's showing, interestingly is that only thirty three percent are in favor of the public now of the republic. Now. What's surprising about this is that when we had the referendum in nineteen ninety nine, which of course now is twenty five years ago, forty five percent of the populace voted for a republic. Of course, that referendum was lost because it was fifty five percent in favor of retaining the constitutional monarchy. But I think what's really interesting about this is that we thought that after the death of Queen Elizabeth, that our country would very much want to pull away as other countries have, like be bade Us most recently from that connection with England. But quite the opposite. In fact, it's now showing that we're all the stats on this pole, that we're more sort of we have greater goodwill towards the monarchy perhaps than we have in recent history. So it's really interesting and of course it would be foolhardy for the government to be looking at a republic referendum that costly. It wouldn't probably get over the line at the moment. But yeah, the poll is showing that people are in favor or you know, some of them are a little bit ambivalent. What is also interesting in it is that more men are in favor of a republic, fewer women, So I think it's forty one to twenty seven in terms of the split there between genders. So more women are more interested in the royal family.
Go figure.
I think that's the Cape factor.
That I think it probably is the Cape factor.
And look the Australian Monarcher's League, they released a statement today about an allegation that the British organization Republic is funding an organizing protest here in Australia during the King's visit.
Now, Pandora, why are they bothering And isn't.
It curious that no Australian organization thought to instigate something like that.
In my personal opinion, I do find it bizarre, to be quite frank. I'm sure there are lots more events that they could be focusing on in the UK. But look, I'm not on the committee for this, but I do find it very very strange. I think ultimately they know that this is going to be getting a lot of press internationally, and at the moment a lot of what they do in the UK is only picked up by the UK press, so they think that well, they think pinpointing Australia and this particular rules it is going to create more headlines. But the backlash that they've got off of it already, including which I've already stated, the fact that the King's not being given them all clear and to basically leave him alone. I'm not sure of their pr strategy on this, but I don't think it's gone down well at all, and I think Australians there as well are pretty confused by it. I don't think you know, anybody needs somebody speaking for them, including the Australian public, sort of leave it alone. But of course we're speaking about it now. So if this is the press that they want, were well done. They've got it. But moving forward, I'm not sure this is the strategy to go down for international royal tours. And to be honest with you, the Royal family are very much used to and their Commons Department having to deal with them. So will they be surprised no, Will they be doing anything differently on the back of this press release, no, so go figure.
Yeah, but it is interesting way to try and endear people to that cause.
We're about to move on.
But if you'd like to find out more about the Australian Royal Tour, be sure to check out our sky News special report The Royals in Australia online at skynews dot com dot you Now. This week, Harry sat down for an interview with the author of the New York Times bestseller The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Hyde, to talk about mental health.
Here's a clue.
A lot of parents, you know, give their kids phones at a younger age to keep them safe. Right, It's a double edged sword. They want them to have their phone at school. In case of an emergency, but once once, like any kid, and if you have your phone, even if you're told you're not allowed to download that app and you're not, kids have a way of working around. We're both dads, you know. These apps have been specifically designed to hook and keep children online for as long as possible. That's mindless scrolling, and during that scrolling, they have content that is pushed to them, content that they wouldn't otherwise go looking for Angela.
We know this interview was centered around World Mental Health Day and it's topical across the globe at the moment.
What were the key highlights?
Yeah, the key highlights were we saw their Harry talking about parents wanting their children to have phones. Jonathan Hyde, of course wrote The Anxious Generation. I've read this book. It's a brilliant, brilliant book. And what's really interesting about it is this partnership between Harry and Jonathan Hate. I think it's interesting that Hate has agreed to do it that interview because he has obviously the momentum that Harry can bring to the issue. But likewise it's height being on screen with Harry is good for Harry too, because this is a man who's front and center of this debate. In terms of the main points, of course, it's the fact that children are now more as Hate has argued, more overprotected in the real world and underprotected in the digital world. The conflict between parents are in terms of in their children and the fact that this is a massive area of stress in people's homes. But in terms of Harry's positioning in this debate, I think this is really interesting because Archwell has done some research. They're aligning with this subject so that they're not They've not only got the sort of back off of research, but Harry is putting himself fronter and center of this because of course he has had mental health issues. I think it is it is his next biggest partnership and his next big project. This is a global issue. It's where he can really affect some difference. It's sincere he talks to people well about it. It addresses issues like mental health. Has ha said, suicide, self harm, this is what they talked about during that interview. I think that it's spot on for his next moving you know, obviously still got in victors Games, but as being a front and center of his mind and in his agenda.
Yeah, I think that that is a very interesting priority and I do think it's something that he will continue to pursue.
We've heard him talk about it so many times.
And Angela, while I'm still with you, we understand Prince William and Princess Catherine making a few moves for further moves i should say, into the US with a number of projects that they're working on.
And this will undoubtedly ruffle some feathers. What's planned, that's right.
So this was an initiative that was started last year but then put on hold well Catherine was sick. Basically, it's just there's the Palace have sort of said, it's just paperwork. But the Royal Foundation, which of course William and Catherine are in charge of, they are making moves within the Patent's organization in America to patient some health services in relation to the Royal Foundation now on its own. That sounds like not that exciting, It's just something they would do as a matter of fact. But what's really interesting about it, of course, is that Meghan and Harry they see America as their territory and they're very much moving into the mental health space, which is what the Royal Foundation one of their key pillars is so I think there's some potential conflict there. I think it was fine when Meghan and Harry thought they had America to themselves.
This shows that.
Perhaps William and Catherine may be looking to expand their reach, which of course they will when William becomes king.
Yeah.
Absolutely, and that's one that we will definitely continue to watch. Angela Mollard Pandora Foresight. Thank you ladies so much for joining us.
Now.
Coming up, Princess Catherine, it makes us arise appearance alongside her husband William at Southport. Russell Meyers joins us next to discuss.
Welcome back to the show.
Joining me now is Royal editor for The Daily Mirror, Russell Meyers. Russell, Welcome to Australia. You are finally here aha ahead of the King's visit. Now the King he's also he's also arriving this week and despite health concerns, he's still got plenty on his schedule.
What are you expecting?
Well, first and foremost, thanks Cara. I would have loved to join you, but literally just run off the plane to get on the show today. But listen, this is going to be a pat schedule for the King and Queen. They are arriving on Friday evening and touching down in Sydney. It's going to be a day off to to kind of acclimatize, i suppose on the Saturday, but from the Sunday it gets right down to business. There's going to be, you know, quite a big event. I suppose we're expecting big crowds at the Sydney Opera House. He's going to be having a barbecue a little bit later in the week with the New South World premiere, and we're going to be seeing you know, a bit of community aspects from the King because he's going to be meeting Aboriginal elders. He's also going to be possibly accompanying the Queen to a domestic violence charity as well, so very much in keeping with the core elements of their work. I'm sure the King is going to be very keen to be discussing the climate in Australia and the world as well, and certainly using his cancer diagnosis as well to try and highlight the cause of melanoma. Of course it is an issue here in Australia and he's going to be meeting a couple of the Australians of the year, some amazing professors who are doing great work in the country. So very much in keeping with the core themes of the King and Queen this week, but certainly hoping.
To meet as many of Australians as possible.
Now, this is the first long distance trip for Charles as King.
He spent a lot of time.
In Australia over the years. We know he's traveling with a couple of doctors, you know, just in order for him to be able to.
Make this trip. So how important is this visit to him personally?
Well, it's hugely important. I mean that goes without saying.
It's something that the King wanted to do almost immediately after taking the top job, as it were. I mean he's been in the role a couple of years now, but you know it's been a bit of topsy turvy time. Of course, it has, notwithstanding his own health elements. He was of course in hospital at the beginning of the year for that prostate operation. Then his cancer diagnosis has really put best laid plans off track. But you know it's about organizing these things with the governments of the day, not just the UK, but Australians as well, and Charles is very very keen to come to Australia.
Indeed, we've spoken ourselves.
Haven't we, about the unique relationship between the Brits and the offseas, and the King really wants to foster that as well. So I think that he'll be very very keen to to come down Under and know that he's very.
Much looking forward to it.
The people I've spoken to at the Palace have said he's excited, The Queen is excited to come down here and to me as many people as possible.
And meanwhile in the UK there's been a beautiful surprise visit by Princess Catherine and Prince William to Southport to visit the families of the three young girls who were tragically killed at their dance class earlier in the year. The King has also recently visited.
I think it.
Really shows the gravity of that tragedy and how much it shocked the.
Nation, well certainly not just a nation, but the world, Cara. I mean, of course your viewers will be familiar with the tragedy that unfolded in Southport and the northwest of England, where three young girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift themed dance concert, and certainly I think this is when the royal family really comes into play, the King and the Prince and Princess a while we're very very keen to reach out to the community to make sure that they weren't forgotten. You know, this is a community that has been absolutely devastated by this heenous crime and certainly they are really reeling from it, a community left in utter shock disbelief, but have really come together. And we saw when the King went to Southport to speak to locals, to really stand side by side with them and say, you know, you have not been forgotten. And I think it's very telling that it was the Princess of Wales's first official public engagement. Of course, we had seen her during the summer at the King's trooping the Color, his birthday celebrations and at Wimbledon of course, but this was the first real public engagement alongside Prince William and like I said, I think it was very apt that she chose to go to Southport because and this is community that has been in.
All of our thoughts throughout the.
Country and the world and will continue to need a lot of support going forward.
Absolutely we've got short sky news Peckage just here on that visit.
It feels like a long time since we've seen them out like this and we hadn't expected the princess, but Southport was a community visit they both had personally wanted to make away from the cameras. They just had private meetings with the families of the three young girls who died in the summer. The Princess asked by one paramedic how they were doing.
Oh okay, but even managing it differently, each of all the families are so different individually too, they're managed nat processing.
We were told they spent half an hour each with the parents of six year old bb King, seven year old Elc dot Stankom, and nine year old Alista Silva Agea, who all died after the knife attack at the Taylor Swift dance event. At the time, the Prince and Princess said it was unimaginable what had happened. It hit home even more because he'd taken George and Charlotte to one of Taylor Swift's UK concerts.
Excellent of the Prince and Princess of Wales to prioritize that visit now, while the King Russell is visiting Australia and despite his health is he is making this very long trip. It's been reported this week that he won't be attending the COP summit. Now that's quite the development given he usually attends well.
It is certainly and it's a story we broke last week in the Mirror because again I think speaking to people very close to Charles, his diary has had to be very very carefully managed. Of course, he's been super keen to get back to work as soon as possible. He's running a bit of a different schedule these days.
Of course, he had been.
Up in Scotland trying to get a bit of ur and R before coming to Australia and preparing for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa.
And it's a phaps sched you, you know, just the travel.
Alone is quite a lot to deal with, especially considering he's still having this cancer treatment. But COP twenty nine is going to be in Baku, Azerbaijan next month. It's a meeting of world leaders of course UN and climate change conference that Charles has spoken to before. Very much welcome to the event, and organizers had been hoping that he was going to make it, but you look at the schedule here in Australia, then you've got some moa. Then he's got to get back for of course the Remembrance weekend set of events in the UK, and then I think it would.
Have been a bit too much. So I think on doctors' orders.
It's been explained to me that they've got to save him from himself sometimes, so I think probably a wise decision.
Out sometimes probably and Russ well, just very quickly, I've only got about thirty seconds left. This week, a new rendering of the coat of Arms has been unveiled.
What are the notable changes?
Well, of course we're in a new sort of era, aren't we. Just it is His Majesty's government and the coat of arms have stayed very much the same since Queen Victoria was on the throne in eighteen thirty seven, but there's been some subtle changes.
You can see the two images side by side.
Of course, we've got the lions still representing England, the unicorn representing Scotland, and there's some subtle changes on.
The motto as well.
But a welcome addition and sort of a welcome addition to this new era for the King.
An update is always a good thing. Russell meis thank you for joining us. Now before we go, there are some things which are just controversial in the culinary world, like pineapple and pizza, but a starting development in the UK Telegraph this week with King Charles Butler insisting the burgers be eaten with a knife and fork. Look, I'm sorry, but that just cannot be right. And that's the show for tonight. Thank you so much for joining us.
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