His Majesty King Charles the Third
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSLA) has congratulated His Majesty King Charles III on his Coronation in London’s Westminster Abbey on 6th May 2023.
The RSL says the new King’s Coronation is an historic event to be celebrated, not only in the United Kingdom, but throughout the Commonwealth, including in Australia, and in many other countries around the world.
RSL National President Greg Melick said the RSL had a long association with the Monarchy, and this would continue under His Majesty King Charles III.
“The King’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II was patron of the RSL for some 70 years and our organisation and Australia’s veteran community greatly valued her interest and support.
“She dedicated her life to the service of her nation and the peoples of the Commonwealth and never shirked this great responsibility.
“The King’s Coronation is steeped in tradition and Australian Defence Force personnel played an important part in the official celebrations, recognising our prominence in the Commonwealth and close association with the Monarchy.
“The RSL sincerely congratulates King Charles III on his Coronation and wishes him a long and successful reign”, Greg Melick said.
RSL Australia Update on Royal Coronation and Crown
Advice from the Governor General’s office is that there will be no change to the crown used in Australian symbology.
• Patronage We await advice from Buckingham Palace regarding the RSLA request for King Charles III to become the Patron of RSLA, as had been the case with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
• Portrait of King Advice on when the King’s Official portrait for Australia will be approved has not been issued by the Governor General’s Department. Once approved it is expected to be distributed through Federal MPs via the Nationhood Material Program. Due to the inordinate time this is taking RSLA has released its own version of the King’s portrait to print and display until an official one is released: King Charles III Portrait
King Charles III Portrait issued by RSLA
As at 20/6/2023 the Office of the Governor-General advised: At this stage there is no portrait of The King available and we are still awaiting advice from The Palace, unfortunately there is no known timeframe. Once advice of an official portrait has been provided by the Palace, Prime Minister and Cabinet will be facilitating distribution to local members of Parliament from whom you can order the portrait.