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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Josh Taylor and Mostafa Rachwani

Governor general proclaims King Charles III as Australia’s head of state – as it happened

King Charles III Queen Elizabeth II Australia David Hurley
David Hurley stands on a podium on the Parliament House forecourt in front of soldiers presenting arms
The governor general, David Hurley, has officially proclaimed King Charles III as the ruler of Australia at a ceremony at Parliament House. Photograph: Getty Images

Australia proclaims King Charles III as head of state

We will wrap up the live blog for today.

King Charles III has been recognised as Australia’s head of state after a meeting of the federal executive council and a ceremony outside Parliament House on Sunday.

The ceremony outside Parliament House included the national anthem and a welcome to country. After the governor general, David Hurley’s, proclamation of King Charles III, there was a performance of God Save The King, followed by an Indigenous spiritual dance, and a 21-gun salute.

Similar ceremonies in the states came afterwards.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and Hurley will travel to the United Kingdom on Thursday for the memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II. Australia will be assisting Pacific island nations with ties to the Commonwealth to travel to the ceremony.

Once they return the next Wednesday, there will be a national day of mourning on Thursday 22 September. The day will be a one-off public holiday that has been agreed upon by all states and territories.

Albanese has hosed down talk of Australia becoming a republic in this term of parliament, reiterating the government’s policy to hold a referendum in the second term of an Albanese Labor government.

We will be back again tomorrow. Until then, I hope you have a pleasant evening.

Updated

Albanese plan on republic referendum unchanged

Just feel I should note here that Sky News (the UK variety not the Australian one) is reporting from an interview with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, that the PM has said he wouldn’t hold a referendum on a republic in his first term out of deep respect for Queen Elizabeth II.

While that may be true, this is not a sudden change in policy. It was already the government’s position that there wouldn’t be a referendum on a republic in the first term of the Labor government.

The only referendum to be held in this term of government is an Indigenous voice to parliament.

You can read up on where that process is up to below.

Updated

The trade minister, Don Farrell, seemed to miss the memo about solemn looks in these photos.

In case you missed why Thursday 22 September has been picked as the public holiday for the national day of mourning.

Updated

New Zealand proclaims King Charles III as its sovereign

Meanwhile a longer report on the change in New Zealand, via AAP.

New Zealand has officially proclaimed King Charles III as its sovereign in a ceremony outside Parliament House, and will consider a public holiday to pay respect to Queen Elizabeth II.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern, governor general Cindy Kiro and speaker Adrian Rurawhe led the proclamation of accession on Sunday.

It was read by Herald of Arms Phillip O’Shea on behalf of Ardern, Kiro and the Executive Council.

“God save the King,” O’Shea said.

Kura Moeahu, the parliamentary kaumatua (respected elder), also read the proclamation in te reo Maori.

Ardern, speaking in front of several hundred Kiwis gathered on parliament’s lawns, said New Zealand had “entered a time of change”.

For seventy years Queen Elizabeth served the people of Aotearoa New Zealand with unwavering duty. For the vast majority of New Zealanders, she is the only monarch we have known.

We are forever grateful for her close bond.

The 15-minute ceremony ended with a singing of the UK’s national anthem, God save the King, and a 21-gun salute.

It also provided a rare public outing for Ardern’s four-year-old daughter Neve, who accompanied the prime minister and her fiance Clarke Gayford.

On Monday, cabinet will consider arrangements for a state memorial service or possible public holiday, as well as New Zealand’s representation at the state funeral on 19 September.

Updated

And with that I will hand the blog over to Josh Taylor for the rest of the day, thanks for reading.

Australian Medical Association president Professor Steve Robson has tweeted out some opposition to the announcement of a public holiday today:

Peter Dutton questioned on King Charles’s stance on climate

I just wanted to return to the opposition leader’s appearance on Insiders this morning, because he was asked about the more overtly political positions the new King has previously taken.

Asked specifically what he thought of the new King’s position on climate change, Peter Dutton stressed the importance that King Charles remain “impartial”:

He now moves into a different phase of his life and as he pointed out, he’s been a very strong supporter of charities and different causes for most of his adult life, but he puts that to one side now, because he takes up the important role as the head of the Commonwealth and as the King, he will have a responsibility to dispense his duties fairly, as the Queen did.

I think the point he made in his speech yesterday was that he now, as the Queen did, doesn’t express those views on a day-to-day basis.

Updated

King Charles III proclaimed King of New Zealand

New Zealand has proclaimed King Charles III as the King of New Zealand today, in a ceremony at parliament in Wellington on Sunday.

After the official proclamation, led by governor general Cindy Kiro and prime minister Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand Defence Force conducted two 21-gun salutes.

Ardern spoke of the relationship between the nations:

We are forever grateful for her close bond to this country. But it is a bond that spans her whole family

Updated

Antigua and Barbuda to call referendum on republic

The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne has announced that he will call for a referendum on switching to a republic after the the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Browne said he wanted to hold the vote within three years, after indicating such a move earlier this year during a visit by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The Caribbean country is one of 14 nations to retain the British monarch as their head of state.

You can read more on the story from the link below:

Updated

Actor Brian Cox expects Scotland to break with UK

At the Antidote Festival of Ideas at the Sydney Opera House today, Scottish actor Brian Cox says Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom is a matter of when, following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Asked “do you think [Scottish independence] is an if or a when?” by moderator David Wenham, Cox says:

I think its a when, now. We’d been treated so badly through the Thatcher years … They thought we were subhuman.

We need to be our own, separate, in charge of ourselves.

Personally I want to see us free.

Updated

Next on today’s schedule, New South Wales will proclaim King Charles III as the state’s monarch very shortly.

NSW Governor Margaret Beazley will make the proclamation in a public ceremony outside State Parliament at 12:30pm.

Updated

The 21-gun salute to mark the proclamation of King Charles III wraps up today’s ceremony:

Updated

Flags have been raised to full mast, as the proclamation ceremony has continued with a an Indigenous celebratory dance before the 21-gun salute begins.

Updated

Governor general proclaims King Charles III as Australian head of state

The governor general, David Hurley, has stepped up to officially proclaim King Charles III the ruler of Australia, noting the “glorious” reign of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II:

Whereas because of the death of our pleasant and glorious Queen Elizabeth II, the Crown has solely and rightfully come to Prince Charles Philip Arthur George.

We therefore, general the honourable David Hurley, governor Ggneral of the commonwealth of Australia and members of the Federal Executive Council do now proclaim Prince Charles Philip Arthur George to be King Charles III by Grace of God. King of Australia and his Realms and Territories, head of the Commonwealth.

And with hearty and humble affection we promise him faith and obedience. This 11th day of September, 2022, into the first year of his Majesty’s reign, signed by me as governor general and countersigned by my command by the honourable Anthony Albanese MP, prime minister of the commonwealth of Australia. God save the King.

Updated

The ceremony outside Parliament House has now begun, with the governor general looking on as the Australian national anthem is played.

Updated

Proceedings move to Parliament House

So, from here, protocol dictates that the PM, the governor general and the executive council will head to Parliament House next, to make the public proclamation of the new King.

This will be a public event, with residents already lining the edges of the forecourt, waiting for the historic moment Australia’s new head of state is confirmed.

That will be followed by a 21-gun salute, and interestingly, flags will return to full mast as a sign of celebration of the moment, before being returned to half mast at dusk.

Updated

Anthony Albanese speaks of Queen’s devotion to duty

Next up, prime minister Anthony Albanese marks the occasion, saying the Queen was admired for her “devotion to duty” and that today marks the first time in most Australian’s lifetime that their head of state has changed:

Thank you for being here at what is an extraordinary historical event in the history of our nation. There has been an outpouring of grief on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth was admired for her devotion to duty, for her commitment to the people of the United Kingdom, to the people of the Commonwealth including Australia and indeed to the world.

Queen Elizabeth’s own words, that grief is the price we pay for love, is I think a fitting statement on how so many Australians are feeling at this time. Today, we mark formally the new head of state in King Charles III and in the proclamation, the first in my lifetime and the first in a majority of Australian’s lifetime, as an historic event.

I believe that King Charles’ tribute to Queen Elizabeth, both as the longest serving monarch in British history, but also as his beloved mother, was touching, heartfelt and - and I think will be written about for generations to come, just as Queen Elizabeth and her devotion to duty will be recorded in history for centuries to come.

So we have a solemn responsibility here today.

It is a great honour for myself, as Australia’s 31st prime minister, to be a part of this commemoration with his Excellency the governor general. It is something that is heartfelt, the responsibility that we have.

Updated

Governor general marks Australia’s ‘new era’

The governor general begins with a short speech marking the “new era” Australia is entering, and paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II:

Most Australians have not known a time without Queen Elizabeth II. Her passing is the end of an era. She shared in Australia’s growth and change during her reign. Her example of selfless service, devotion to duty and compassion for others is an enduring legacy and indeed a gift for us all.

And today, this meeting of the Federal Executive Council will proclaim Charles III as King of Australia. It is a weighty responsibility. Australia is an unfinished product. It is now entering a new era.

Your loyalty to our king, your service to Australia through your work in the parliament will assist our country to build on the successes of the second Elizabethan age … and chart a course for a future that provides for all Australians.

Updated

Governor general begins proclamation of new king

Australia’s Governor General, David Hurley, has begun presiding over a special meeting of the Federal Executive Council this morning, that will proclaim and confirm Australia’s new head of state.

Updated

Queensland’s proclamation of the King will be read twice on Sunday

Queensland’s governor Dr Jeannette Young will read the state’s Proclamation of the King twice on Sunday.

The proclamations will begin at Queensland’s government house at 1pm, with a second reading held at Parliament House at 2.30pm.

It comes after the premier, opposition leader and other state MPs signed messages of support and condolence following the death of Queen Elizabeth II this week.

The Queensland state parliament, which was due to sit next week, will be adjourned until a later date.

Updated

Dutton says now is not the time to debate a republic

At the moment we mourn the loss of an incredible world leader, a woman who was obviously an amazing role model to many women, to many female leaders across the world.

We need a King as much as we did a Queen, because we have a stability in our system that served us well and I don’t believe in disrupting that, but I think today we are mourning the loss of the Queen but also the proclamation of King Charles III takes place here in Australia later this morning.

That will be a very important ceremony for us to be involved in.

Updated

Peter Dutton on Australia’s approach to tackling climate change

Dutton is asked if he agrees with the new king that we need to be “courageous and revolutionary” in tackling climate change. And from the man who joked about rising sea levels in the Pacific we have this reply:

I think certainly in terms of the measures we need to adopt and as a country, we are, we have been for a long period of time. That’s to mitigate our emissions and embrace renewables. That’s all under way.

We just don’t want a situation like in Germany where they ration power or California, talking about rolling blackouts and in the United Kingdom where power prices in, average families, they’re talking about thousands and thousands of pounds. People will turn their lights off.

A quick reminder that people turning their lights off, skipping meals, paying for dental work with their super is something that happens in our country now.

Updated

Peter Dutton supports public holiday honouring Queen’s memorial

Opposition leader Peter Dutton is up now on Insiders. He says he supports having a public holiday on 22 September and that things have “been dealt with appropriately”.

A few rogue elements on the side. But mostly people have been respectful and I think that’s exactly as it should be. I think the way in which the government has responded has been very professional, and entirely appropriate.

Dutton has previously met King Charles and this is what he made of the now king:

You could claim he was a quirky character, but I thought he was very engaging and I think if you are in the training for decades as he has been, and with the Queen as such an influential presence in his life, as that was the reality.

Updated

Queen's popularity key reason behind republican movement failing, Howard says

Howard says the popularity of the Queen was the key reason behind the republican movement failing, but that the monarchy offers stability.

I think there’s also a keener appreciation of the value of the institution and its strength. People look around the world at the moment and the alternative governance systems on offer, everyone in democracies, don’t look all that flash on occasions. I think the strength and durability and flexibility of the constitutional monarchy is something that more people appreciate than is imagined.

He says the republican debate is one that “never stops”.

That is fair enough. It’s a democracy. People can argue for change. My observation is the strength of the monarchy in Australia was immeasurably increased by the personal popularity of the Queen.

Updated

Proclamation protocol for King Charles III

There is still quite a bit of protocol to get through today, so strap in.

The proclamation of sovereign will be read by the governor general today – which basically is the GG announcing there is a new sovereign. Charles is already king, but this is a formality letting people know.

But first members of the government executive council have to meet with him.

They are:

1. The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

2. The Hon Richard Marles MP + ADC

3. Senator the Hon Penny Wong

4. Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

5. Senator the Hon Don Farrell

6. The Hon Tony Burke MP

7. The Hon Mark Butler MP

8. The Hon Bill Shorten MP

9. The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC

10. The Hon Michelle Rowland MP

11. The Hon Madeleine King MP

12. Senator the Hon Murray Watt

13. The Hon Pat Conroy MP

14. The Hon Anika Wells

15. The Hon Patrick Gorman MP

16. The Hon Jenny McAllister

17. The Hon Ged Kearney MP

Updated

John Howard on the Queen’s view of Australia’s 1999 republic referendum

Former PM John Howard is paying tribute to the Queen on Insiders. He says in the days leading up to the failed 1999 republic referendum the Queen had drafted several statements, to release depending on the outcome.

When we had the referendum on the republic, she followed that intently and the last few days before the vote, my office and her private secretary were exchanging drafts of three press statements. One of them in the event of the republic getting up, and one of them in the event of the republic going down and one if we had the improbable result of a mixed result and that is the majority of people voted for a republic but not a majority in a majority of states – because you need both to order our constitution.

He says she was “pleased with the result”.

She accepted the result. I can remember vividly, “I accept the result, I’ve always taken the view that this is a matter for the Australian people, but I won’t alter my affection and altogether though our relationship will be different, I will always love Australia and I will want Australia to succeed.”

I think they were the sort of statements you expect her to want to make. She was pleased with the result. It was a good weekend from my point of view.

Updated

PM says recognition of First Nations people in the constitution is still a priority

The PM said constitutional change is still a priority for the government in this term of parliament.

I believe the constitutional change that I have, very clearly identified as my priority in this term of parliament, the recognition of First Nations people in our constitution. Our constitution is our national birth certificate. This nation didn’t begin in 1788, it goes back some 65,000 years at least. It should be a source of great national pride that we live and share this continent with the oldest continuous civilisation on earth.

Updated

Albanese pays tribute to the Queen’s ‘commitment to duty’

The PM has paid tribute to the Queen, saying he got “to see both sides” of her majesty when he met her at Buckingham Palace during the global finical crisis.

She made sure that she spoke to every person in the room ... and give a bit of herself and that was typical of her commitment to duty and devotion but she was good-humoured. There was a good spirit in the room.

When asked if her death means Australia should move towards a republic Albanese he says now is not the time to talk about a change in Australia’s system of government.

Now is a time for us to pay tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth, a life well lived, of dedication and loyalty, including to the Australian people and for us to honour and grieve at the loss, to also, today, we will be, of course, commemorating the proclamation of King Charles III as Australia’s head of state.

Updated

PM announces public holiday for the Queen's memorial service

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has announced that Thursday 22 September will be a public holiday to mark the National Memorial Service Day for Queen Elizabeth II.

The PM was on Insiders this morning, and announced that it will be a one-off public holiday, to give people a chance to pay their respects.

It will be a one-off national public holiday. That’s to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

I spoke to all premiers and chief ministers yesterday and I’m writing to them formally this morning, they will have received their letters by now.

They have all agreed that it’s appropriate that it be a one-off national public holiday.

Updated

Australian golfer Min Woo Lee pays tribute to the Queen at Buckingham Palace

AAP is reporting Australian golf star Min Woo Lee has taken the chance to pay his own tribute to the Queen along with thousands of other mourners at Buckingham Palace.

When organisers of the BMW PGA Championship, the European tour’s flagship event, called off play on Friday to show golf’s respect for the monarch following her death, Lee decided to demonstrate his own by going to pay homage at the palace.

When the tournament resumed at its Surrey venue of Wentworth on Saturday, the 24-year-old Lee, one of the rising stars in the Australian game, felt determined that he and his colleagues should try to bring some smiles back.

The West Australian then delivered one of his best-ever rounds, a 10-under par 62 that would have equalled the course record at the famous venue if preferred lies hadn’t been in play.

The tournament had been suspended on Thursday after news emerged of the Queen’s death.

“It was just a shock. I mean, it doesn’t happen obviously often, and to the golfing community, as well, we had to stop and a bit of mourning there,” Lee explained after his round on Saturday.

It was a shock. I finished and I got the news and it’s not really what you want to hear. So on Friday, we went down to Buckingham Palace with a few of the boys and paid our respects to her.

We are back now and playing golf – and, hopefully, we can just keep smiles on our faces and play good golf.

On Saturday, Lee, whose win in Britain at the Scottish Open was the biggest win of his burgeoning career, said he was “proud” to play some fantastic golf, producing an 18-hole display that was 14 shots better than his first round.

Updated

Queen’s coffin to begin nine-day journey to Windsor Castle

While today is a big day, overnight there were many developments, including the confirmation of the Queen’s final departure from Balmoral.

Later tonight (7pm AEST), a hearse will carry her oak coffin to Edinburgh to begin a nine-day journey to her final resting place at Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the last journey of the 96-year-old monarch, which will give mourners a chance to stand by the road and say their farewells as she passes by.

The Queen’s coffin will move through the Scottish towns of Aberdeen and Dundee where her coffin will be greeted by local dignitaries.

She will then be driven to Edinburgh where her coffin will be placed in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the royals in Scotland.

The next day, she will move in a procession down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral where she will lie in state for 24 hours.

There will be a service held there where members of the royal family, King Charles and Camilla, will pay their respects, before the Queen is flown out to London.

There, her body will be transported to Buckingham Palace, and the following day will feature a gun carriage down the Mall to Westminster Abbey where she will lie in state for four days before the official funeral and she is buried at Windsor Castle alongside her husband Philip, her father George VI, her mother and Princess Margaret.

Updated

Good morning

Good morning, Mostafa Rachwani with you today, to take you through the day’s coverage of D+02, or the third day after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Today, the governor general, David Hurley, will officially proclaim King Charles III as Australia’s new head of state.

Hurley will make the pronouncement at a special meeting of the Federal Executive Council at Government House at 11am, the first time a proclamation has been read at the current Parliament house.

A public ceremony will also be held outside Parliament House in Sydney at 12.30pm, with public transport free today until midnight.

We will bring you all the details around the momentous occasion, as well as everything else happening today, so let’s dive in.

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