Australian Prime Minister Albanese Meets with King Charles at Balmoral
BALMORAL, SCOTLAND – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with King Charles III at Balmoral Castle today, touring Crathie Kirk church following the private audience. The meeting marks a important diplomatic engagement for Albanese during his current visit to the United Kingdom.
The encounter comes amid scrutiny of Albanese’s travel schedule from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who has criticised the prime minister’s participation in events such as the British Labor conference in Liverpool and a forum on progressive politics in London, questioning the use of taxpayer funds. Albanese’s trip represents a rare opportunity to strengthen ties between Australia and the UK monarchy, particularly as King charles settles into his role as head of state.
Albanese’s arrival in Balmoral followed a first day in London where he met with UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, deliberately avoiding a meeting with Reform leader Nigel Farage. He is scheduled to become the first Australian Labor leader to address the UK Labour’s national conference on Sunday.
“Albanese is in the UK as the Australian Prime Minister,not the Leader of the Australian Labor Party – he shouldn’t be swanning around on the taxpayer dollar at Labour political conferences hanging out with his left-wing mates,” Ley stated.She further questioned the value of the trip to Australian taxpayers, asking, “If the Prime Minister wants to turn an official trip into a personal detour to the UK Labour Party conference, Australians are entitled to know how much it is costing them and whether he intends to make any personal contribution to cover it.”
dominic Lorrimer photographed the meeting.
