It’s no surprise that the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia has been highly debated.  ‘ This is, in fact, the first royal tour that King Charles will undertake since ascending to the throne, and its purpose has been defined by various stakeholders as a diplomatic visit geared toward deepening the bond between the monarchy and the Commonwealth country.  But for many Australians, the cost and timing of the visit are heavy criticism.  As Australia continues its delicate dance with economic recovery and lives through momentous discussions about its role as a future player or partner with the monarchy, one could not help but ask: is this royal tour too costly?

Tradition or Too Expensive?

The monarch tradition is something that has long been established in the continued tradition of visits from the royal family, with the visit often being an excellent way to strengthen the bond between nations and improve national sentiment.  ‘In contemporary Australia, however, it would appear that the royal tour is very much seen as a relic of the past.  As a country that prides itself on independence and democratic values, it does seem that the monarchy’s role is up for debate more than ever.’ For critics at least, the visit is not so much a matter of diplomatic fine-tuning as an outrageous fetishisation of a bygone past.

But the public funding of hosting such visits makes the situation more contentious, especially if millions of taxpayers’ dollars are to be spent on the royal tour, from security arrangements and event coordination to formal dinners.  Many Australians are still feeling the economic challenges caused by the post-pandemic problem.  It’s really difficult for people to pass it off as being for the benefit of the average citizen.

The Taxpayer Burden

In Australia, what would immediately strike the minds of most citizens is how expensive it will cost them financially.  Security alone is very pricey, given the heightened measures across Australia to protect the monarch and his entourage.  Added to expenses in accommodations, official dinners, and other ceremonial events, the price shoots through the roof.

At this time, when Australian citizens are mired in high inflation, rising costs of living, and stagnating wages, such expenditures are difficult to rationalise. Some feel that the allocation of millions of dollars to what has become a symbolic visit for some has removed people from the relevance of the monarch in their daily lives.

Economic Boost or Hollow Promise?

Advocates of the royal visit always emphasise the possible benefits to the economy.  To begin with, royals have always attracted colossal media attention and much tourism while on tour.  Hotels, restaurants, and businesses around town where they visit tend to see more people walking through the place, bringing short-term gains to the economy.  Critics have argued that these benefits are minimal; there is little long-term effect on the economy at large.

There is also an ongoing debate about whether Australia should still be a monarchy or become a republic, and they thought that it was not the best time for the royal tour.  Moreover, since the country has been questioning its ties to the monarchy more and more, the visit of the royals, although full of traditions, may not fit in a nation contemplating cutting off all ties with the royal binding.

Final thoughts: Is it worth it?

At its core, all of this might well blur, but it’s clear that as the debate goes on, the royal visit is more than just a mere diplomatic exercise that speaks of Australia’s quirky relationship with the monarchy.  While more believe it’s simply part of tradition and necessary, others find it an expensive, outdated symbol.

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