Just a couple of weeks after US President Donald Trump was hosted and honoured with a banquet at Balmoral Castle, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was hosted at the castle by King Charles.
Unfortunately for Anthony and his fiancée Jodie Haydon, they didn’t get a banquet. However, there was a lot more on the agenda.
Two prime ministers meet
Anthony arrived in England the day prior to meet with his UK counterpart, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, to speak on matters related to the rise of the far right and populism, and the status of AUKUS.
He even took a moment to say hello to Larry, the Starmer’s cat, while at Downing Street and shared it on his Instagram.
Anthony Albanese and Jodie then flew north to Lossiemouth Royal Air Force base in Scotland on Saturday morning on their official visit to King Charles.
King Charles hosts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
They were greeted by bagpipers before heading to Balmoral Castle for what was his fourth audience with King Charles, following Charles and Queen Camilla’s historic visit to Australia in October 2024. This was Anthony’s fourth visit with the monarch.
Anthony spoke about the visit with King Charles in an interview with David Speers on ABC’s Insiders, held on location in Scotland and London.
The Prime Minister called Charles a “gracious host”, and it was a “Personal honour and an honour for Australia” for him to be invited.
However, the prime minister described it as “A very good catch-up” and called Balmoral a “special place”. He also said that the King is very interested in Australian affairs, as he is the King of Australia and the royal family is “very interested in our place in the world.”
The republic issue
The last time an Australian Prime Minister attended Balmoral Castle was in 1993, when Paul Keaton and he historically informed Queen Elizabeth II that he intended to make Australia an independent republic.
In his memoir After Words and in interviews since, Keating explained that he told the Queen that while Australians respected her, the monarchy itself was “an anachronism” and “drifting into obsolescence,” and that Australia should eventually move to become a republic.
The Queen, by his account, was gracious in reply. She told him she understood, that her family had always tried to do their best by Australia, and that she would respect the advice of Australian ministers and the wishes of the Australian people.
Anthony Albanese has been a major supporter of a fully independent Republic of Australia. Furthermore, when speaking about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, he made remarks that even though many Australians respect the monarchy, he believes “a modern Australian republic is an idea whose time has come.”
David asked Anthony if the topic came up. However, Anthony responded that not only did it not come up, he was only going to hold one referendum during his time in government, and “We did that” with The Voice referendum. So, there are no plans for another referendum on the independence of Australia; it is a slight change from an earlier promise that he said he wouldn’t hold a referendum on the subject during his time as prime minister.
When pushed by David to speak on the subject, Albo said he thought that Sam Mostyn was doing an “excellent job” and he “respects the decisions that have been made and our systems of government.”
What else was on the agenda?
It’s been a big week for Australia’s prime minister and government. Australia joined the likes of Canada, France, and the UK in recognising the statehood of Palestine, a notable contrast to the United States of America, at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September 2025 in New York.
In his address to the assembly, Anthony said that this recognition “means more than a seat, a voice and a vote in the councils of the world — it means real hope for a place they can call home.” He urged Israel to accept its share of responsibility for the “catastrophe” in Gaza.
When David Speers asked why Australia should be interested in affairs on the other side of the planet, Anthony said that his focus is on our region, but the land war in Ukraine has led to a knock-on effect on grocery prices here. “We can’t afford to be isolationist.”
In addition, he reiterated Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. And also announced Australia’s intention to run for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council in 2029–2030.
President Trump also addressed the assembly and criticised the UN’s focus on climate change and migration. He called climate change a “hoax” or “con job,” saying many climate predictions have been wrong.
He also claimed that uncontrolled migration was tearing apart countries, and in a strong rhetorical flourish, he warned: “Your countries are going to hell.”
When David asked for Anyhtony’s comments on Donald’s remarks, he said we don’t need to interfere in the domestic politics of other nations. My priorities are governing Australia.
What’s happening with AUKUS?
The security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, announced in September 2021, is designed to deepen military, defence, and technology cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
It was a major focus of this trip to the United Kingdom to visit with Anthony Albanese’s counterpart and King Charles. However, we can’t know what King Charles and Anthony Albanese spoke about in their discussion due to royal protocols.
However, despite his opposing remarks to Donald Trump, Anthony was confident in the pact continuing and will be going into negotiations with the United States government in the coming weeks. And what’s going to be on that agenda? Minerals.
Australia has numerous natural minerals which have multiple applications in defence and technology, e.g. lithium and cobalt.
In his interview on Insiders, Anthony indicated that minerals could be part of the pillars of AUKUS and “maximise the return to Australia.”
