King Charles is not the adversary of an Australian republic – but hasn’t the time of the crown gone?

‘This human demeanour of King Charles and Queen Camilla might be why the republican movement welcomes the royals and wishes them well,’ writes Thomas Keneally. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

Charles III has rather selflessly come to see you, Australians. Your Sovereign. Of whom we are all subjects.

Subjects. If you don’t like that word then you can change it in the constitution. Probably best to wait for him to go home first. Because he didn’t ask for that, and may be a bit embarrassed if you make a fuss about it.