New details have emerged about why King Charles and Queen Camilla will not be heading to Victoria on their Australia trip despite the Allan government keen for the couple to visit.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Australia in October.
A statement from the Royal Family confirms the King and Queen will attend events in Canberra and New South Wales.
It is King Charles’ first visit to Australia as reigning monarch.
On Monday it was confirmed the King’s first visit to Australia as sovereign will take place in October, with the monarch and his wife only stopping by New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
The royal couple will then head to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia.
Ms Allan told reporters on Tuesday discussions took place with Buckingham Palace about the King potentially visiting the state named in honour of Queen Victoria.
She said the state government were keen to host Charles and Camilla given the King’s personal connection to Victoria as he spent time studying at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus while a teenager.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in October. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
But Victoria was ultimately left off the itinerary because the royal couple were unable to find time in their busy schedule to make the trip, Ms Allan said.
“I’m advised through my Department of Premier and Cabinet there were discussions with the palace in regards to potentially hosting should the King want to come to Victoria,” she said.
“I know he is very, very fond of his personal association with Victoria and his time that he went to school here.
“As I’ve been advised, due to the very busy schedule – because of course it also involves attending the CHOGM – that on this instance the King has not been able to include a visit to Melbourne.
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“But I would absolutely welcome at a future opportunity to welcome His Royal Highness and Queen Camilla to the great state of Victoria – the cultural, creative, sporting capital of the nation. There’d be plenty of opportunities to show the King why Victoria is a great place.”
Ms Allan said she was reluctant to go into much detail about the discussions with the palace but did confirm the conversation involved the King’s personal connection to Victoria.
The October trip will mark Charles’ 16th official visit to Australia in his 75 years.
Charles and Camilla last made the trip Down Under in 2018 for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Victoria last year pulled out of hosting the 2026 games.
A new photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace was released on Monday as it was announced the couple would visit Australia in October. Picture: NewsWire / Supplied by Millie Pilkington, Buckingham Palace, via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said he was looking forward to the King and Queen visiting Australia.
“The King has a deep regard for our great nation, and has always spoken warmly of the time he has spent here and the astounding beauty of our extraordinary continent,” Mr Albanese said.
“I look forward welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia for this important visit.”
Planning for the trip is still underway, with further details about the royal couple’s itinerary to be revealed closer to the visit.