King Charles welcomed Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Balmoral on Saturday for a private audience, showing the close ties between the UK and one of its largest Commonwealth realms.
Buckingham Palace said: “The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP (Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia) was received in audience by The King this afternoon.”
Photographs released by the Palace showed the pair standing in the castle’s library, surrounded by bookshelves and floral armchairs.
Charles, 76, wore a grey suit with a black-and-yellow striped tie, while Mr Albanese, 61, was dressed in a navy suit and green tie.
King Charles welcomes Australian Prime Minister to Balmoral just days after Prince William’s visit
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PA
Mr Albanese, leader of Australia’s centre-left Labor Party, became Prime Minister in May 2022 after defeating the Conservative Government of Scott Morrison.
He has since overseen a post-pandemic economic recovery and positioned Australia as a key voice in regional security, climate policy and the Indo-Pacific alliance network.
His Government has also initiated a defence partnership with the UK and US under the Aukus agreement to develop nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced technologies.
Australia remains a constitutional monarchy with the British sovereign as head of state. Mr Albanese, who describes himself as a “lifelong republican”, has said any move toward becoming a republic will not be a first-term priority, but he has appointed an assistant minister for the republic to prepare the ground for a possible future referendum.
King Charles and Anthony Albanese pictured at Balmoral
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Friday’s audience allowed the King and the Prime Minister to discuss the evolving relationship between the Crown and Australia, as well as shared global challenges.
Charles, who met Mr Albanese in London shortly after his election victory, has long championed environmental causes that align with the Prime Minister’s push for stronger action on climate change.
The Balmoral meeting comes during the King’s summer stay in Scotland, where he traditionally spends several weeks hosting family and guests.
Earlier this week, Prince William travelled to Balmoral to spend time with his father, continuing a family tradition of late-summer visits to the Highlands.
Anthony Albanese’s Labor won the election and formed a Government in May
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GETTYMr Albanese is in the UK for a series of high-level meetings that reflect Australia’s strategic importance as a partner on defence, trade and climate issues.
Britain and Australia are implementing a free trade agreement signed in 2021 and working closely under Aukus as they respond to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The King, as head of the Commonwealth, has made a point of strengthening ties with its 56 member nations since his accession.
His meeting with Mr Albanese highlights both the ceremonial and diplomatic role of the monarchy, providing a neutral setting for dialogue on issues ranging from security to sustainability.
Buckingham Palace gave no further details of their private discussion, in keeping with convention for audiences between the sovereign and political leaders.