‘Homebody’ King will visit Australia out of obligation, not desire
King Charles III”s first visit to Australia as monarch is yet to be confirmed, but will likely be more out of obligation than desire.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, from the RAAF Military base in Darwin, Northern Territory, Tuesday, April 10, 2018. He spend a week in Australia to hope the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. (AAP Image/Getty Images Pool, Brook Mitchell)
The 73-year-old has made 16 trips Down Under, the most recent in 2018 to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Former Australian high commissioner to the UK, John Dauth, who also worked as press secretary to the then-Prince of Wales from 1977-1980, told AAP Charles has become more of a ‘home body’ in recent years.
“Travel is a burden, I expect he will probably do quite a lot of it as soon as he can because after all he’s not young,” Dauth said.
“It’s a bloody long way (to Australia) and very demanding.
“The Queen Consort (Camilla) does suffer very badly from jet lag. She doesn’t travel well. So that is going to be a bit of a limitation for them. They don’t actually relish the whole idea of travel. What they do like very much, is being at home.
“They’ll do travel because he has to.”
During his first public address, the King mentioned his ongoing commitment to nations such as Australia.
“Wherever you may live in the UK, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love,” he said.
Dauth spoke broadly of the King’s affection for Australia and his dedication to staying abreast of domestic issues, including moves to create an Indigenous voice to parliament.
“He’ll be very conscious of the discussion that’s gone on about the voice and … you could reasonably assume that he would have a good deal of sympathy for the development of that,” he said.
In terms of Australia’s republic debate: “He would be determined that whatever happened, if we break the link with the monarchy, that it be done in a decorous way”.
Dauth described the King’s character as committed, restless and funny, and that his time on the throne is unlikely to bring great change to procedure.
“I don’t think there are going to be a lot of surprises here and in the main, he will be a very predictable sovereign.”
The King “has always been a bit restless”.
“He’s always been restless to find for himself a niche or as many niches as possible, where he can make a difference,” Dauth said, adding that the new role will likely fulfil some of those feelings of restlessness.
The former advisor also nominated the King’s sense of humour as a stand out among his personality traits.
“He’s an incredibly amusing fellow,” he said.
“People have only just now started to focus on the Queen’s sense of humour … it was really unknown until after her death. But he has inherited that from her. He’s a naturally funny person.”
Dauth recalled that one of the first things the Prince requested of him was to arrange to see a show by Australian comedian Barry Humphries.
“He relates very easily to Barry and to comedians like that. He’s just a naturally amusing guy.”