The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has initiated a provocative campaign, branding King Charles’s forthcoming visit as the “farewell tour” of the British monarchy. This effort, which includes a themed merchandise collection, aims to ignite discussions regarding the Crown’s role in contemporary Australia. Meanwhile, monarchists have criticized the campaign, deeming it offensive.
Slated for October 18 to 26, the royal visit marks the first by a monarch to Australia in over a decade and represents King Charles’s most extensive trip since his cancer diagnosis. The timing also follows last year’s unsuccessful Voice to Parliament referendum, which some believe has dampened momentum for future constitutional change discussions.
Australia previously voted against becoming a republic in 1999, but recent trends indicate a growing public support for the idea. ARM’s campaign uses satirical imagery on posters, T-shirts, and coasters, portraying the King, Queen, and Prince of Wales as aging rock stars, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign.”
Esther Anatolitis, Co-Chair of the ARM, stated, “We expect a full-time, fully committed head of state whose only allegiance is to us—a unifying symbol at home and abroad.” She emphasized that it is time for Australia to step forward and take charge of its governance.
The ARM cited research claiming that 92% of Australians are either proponents of a republic or open to the concept, with 40% unaware that the head of state is a foreign monarch. However, independent polls suggest that about 35% of Australians prefer to maintain the constitutional monarchy.
The Australian Monarchist League has dismissed the ARM’s polling as exaggerated and criticized the new campaign as disrespectful to King Charles amid his health struggles. National Chairman Philip Benwell expressed that the King deserves respect for his courage rather than ridicule.
Australia’s Prime Minister, a long-time supporter of the republican movement, has temporarily shelved any plans for a vote on distancing the nation from the British monarchy, citing it is currently not a priority for the government.
King Charles confirmed he has corresponded with the ARM prior to his visit, reiterating that decisions about Australia’s future should lie with its citizens. Constitutional referendums in Australia are notoriously challenging, requiring a ‘double majority’ to pass—more than half of the national vote and a majority in at least four of six states. Historically, only eight out of 44 referendums have succeeded, typically necessitating bipartisan backing. The recent Voice referendum—intended to recognize First Nations people in the constitution—was rejected following intense discussions.
