Prince Charles would back Australia becoming a republic, the country’s former Prime Minister Paul Keating has claimed.
Republican Mr Keating, dubbed the “Lizard of Oz” by Fleet Street tabloids when he once touched the Queen when she toured Down Under, says he is “certain” Charles would support Australia dumping the monarchy if the people wanted it.
Mr Keating, who met the prince several times during his prime ministership, told the Sunday Times: “I have no doubt he believes Australia should be free of the British monarchy and that it should make its own way in the world.
“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?
“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.”
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, will arrive in Australia on Wednesday, April 4 for a royal visit announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in February.
They will visit Brisbane, then the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Camilla will return after three days and Charles will continue the tour alone.
Mr Keating has long supported a republic. In 1999, Australia held a referendum on replacing the Queen with an Australian head of state, but the No side emerged victorious.
Mr Keating discussed the republic with Prince Charles back in 1993 on a visit to Scotland.
In 1994, Prince Charles said the emerging debate in Australia was a sign of a “mature and self-confident nation”.
Mr Turnbull himself supports a republic and campaigned for the Yes vote in the 90s.
Since becoming prime minister he has reaffirmed his support, but also described himself as a loyal “Elizabethan”.
Prince Charles visits the Caribbean
A Palace spokesman said, “Her Majesty The Queen and The Prince of Wales have always made it clear that they believe the future of the Monarchy in Australia is a matter for the Australian people to decide.”
