How Charles ‘Interposed’ Himself In Australian Politics For The Queen During A ‘Dismissal’ Crisis

Prince Charles has seemingly been preparing for his upcoming role as the head of the monarchy for years. During a huge crisis in Australia, he reportedly stepped in after Queen Elizabeth II refused to take matters into her own hands.

In 2015, Prince Charles’ private correspondence with Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975 was made public. In the book “The Dismissal Dossier,” royal author Jenny Hocking said that Kerr was worried about what could happen to his position amid the ongoing crisis.

After receiving the letter, the future king immediately reassured Kerr and encouraged him not to worry. “But surely, Sir John, the Queen should not have to accept advice that you should be recalled at the very time when you were considering having to dismiss the government,” Prince Charles wrote.

The back and forth between the two men continued after Prince Charles escalated Kerr’s concerns to Her Majesty’s private secretary, Sir Martin Charteris. “By entering into this communication with Kerr over his own position, and agreeing even to consider a means of delaying it, the Palace had interposed itself directly into matters of Australian politics,” Hocking said.

Over four decades ago, Australia faced a huge constitutional crisis after the Parliament refused to pass several bills needed to pay for the civil servants and other essential services. The governor-general at that time also happened to be the monarch’s representative in Australia.

Kerr dismissed Gough Whitlam and replaced him with Malcolm Fraser as caretaker prime minister. However, the move damaged all those who were directly involved in the issue. Whitlam’s dismissal also caused outrage among protesters in Australia, and they urged the Queen to bring him back.

“Her Majesty, as Queen of Australia, is watching events in Canberra with close interest and attention, but it would not be proper for her to intervene in person in matters which are so clearly placed within the jurisdiction of the Governor-General by the Constitution Act,” the Palace told the protesters.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles has already been preparing for the top job as the Queen slowly passes on some of her duties to her successor. Even though the monarch will never abdicate, it’s only a matter of years before Prince Charles takes over.