‘Prince Charles wants Australia to ditch Monarchy’: Keating

You’d think the future King of England would want to keep a tight grip on the countries that form his empire, but apparently Prince Charles isn’t too fussed — especially when it comes to Australia.

Former Australian prime minister, and staunch Republican, Paul Keating says he’s spoken to the royal about the prospect of Australia breaking free of the Commonwealth to become an independent nation.

In comments made to The Sunday Times in Britain, and provided to The Australian, Keating said it was time for Australia to break free from its institutional shackles and that Charles fully supports the movement.

“Why would he or any one of his family want to visit Australia pretending to be, or representing its aspirations as, its head of state?” Keating asked.

“But none of that is to diminish the commitment and sense of duty that Prince Charles displays towards Great Britain and, as constitutional arrangements stand, towards Australia.

“He is a great friend of Australia — there is no doubt about that.”

It’s not the first time Charles has been dragged into the Republican debate, but unlike more traditional members of the royal family, the prince seems to have no qualms with the Commonwealth’s most prominent nations wanting to break free.

Charles was questioned on the same issue during his 1994 visit to Australia, and at the time said he welcomed debate on an independent Australia.

“It is the sign of a mature and self-confident nation to debate those issues and to use the democratic processes to re-examine the way in which you want to face the future,” he said. On those who want a republic, he added: “perhaps they are right”.

Keating’s comments come just one day before Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall arrive in Australia for the Commonwealth Games. There was speculation over whether the Queen would attend, but at 91 years old, she’s begun handing over many of her royal responsibilities to her son as he prepares to ascend the throne.

The Queen’s imminent end to her tenure has seen the Republican debate resurface in recent years with talk the end of her reign could be the start of a new chapter in Australian history.

The Monarch’s rising popularity over the past decade has made it difficult for the Republican campaign to gain traction. However, polls have shown Charles is deeply unpopular with the people and that many would rather his son William took on the Crown.

However, the Palace has already began laying the foundation for Charles’ reign and the Queen is slowly stepping out of the limelight to make way for her one true heir.

Do you think Australia should leave the Commonwealth? Do you think we’ll have a referendum on the issue after the Queen dies?