King Charles III greets Australia’s next Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III has met the incoming Governor-General at Buckingham Palace ahead of her swearing-in next month.
Former lawyer Sam Mostyn, a long-time backer of an Australian republic, has had a career advocating for women’s economic equality and climate action and serving on a variety of non-profit boards.
Ms Mostyn, 59, had previously tweeted that Australia Day was “a bloody invasion” that had to be “bloody discussed.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Wednesday’s introduction was described as an opportunity for Charles to “connect” and “get to know” Ms Mostyn, the second woman to be appointed to the post.
“We know that the king is very engaged and very interested in Australian issues and will be very interested to hear directly from Ms Mostyn about her own intentions for her time in office as governor-general,” said Secretary to the Governor-General Paul Singer.
Australian Monarchist League chairman Philip Benwell told the Herald Sun he hoped Australia’s 28th G-G used the meeting to discuss her intentions to be above reproach and politic.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed that Ms Mostyn has reneged on her earlier stance as a republican now she is going to be the King’s representative in the country and to represent the Crown,” Mr Benwell said.
“We hope she will not do anything to promote a republic or undermine the high office she is going to hold.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Ms Mostyn as “a modern and optimistic leader for our modern and optimistic nation”.
“Her leadership reflects our enduring Australian values of equality, fairness and a responsibility to build a better future for the next generation.”
The King is expected to tour Australia in late 2024 as part of a broader trip to the region. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October in Samoa.
He last visited Australia in 2018 to open the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, but a reigning monarch has not made the trip down under since 2011 when Queen Elizabeth II visited Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
