Source:
https://scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/2172708/australians-smitten-royals-support-republic-slumps-25-year-low
Asia/ Australasia

Australians smitten with royals as support for republic slumps to 25-year low after Harry and Meghan visit

  • Survey found only 40 per cent of respondents favoured breaking away from the monarchy
  • Opposition Labor Party has pledged to hold a plebiscite on becoming a republic if elected
Britain's Prince Harry is greeted by Luke Vincent, 5, on his arrival in Dubbo, Australia, Wednesday, on October 17. Photo: AP

Public support for Australia breaking its ties to the British monarchy has slumped following the triumphant visit by Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan, according to a survey published on Monday.

The Newspoll survey found only 40 per cent of respondents favoured Australia becoming a republic, the lowest level of support in 25 years and 10 points down from a similar poll conducted before the royal couple’s October visit.

A total of 48 per cent of the 1,800 people questioned said they opposed ending the colonial tradition of having the British monarch act as Australia’s head of state.

It was the first time since a 1999 referendum on the issue which maintained Australia’s status that supporters of the monarchy outnumbered republicans.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex looks at koala during a tour of Taronga Zoo in Sydney during their Australia tour last month. Photo: AP
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex looks at koala during a tour of Taronga Zoo in Sydney during their Australia tour last month. Photo: AP

Australia’s opposition Labor Party, which is favoured to take power in the next national elections due by May, announced Monday that it would organise another plebiscite on becoming a republic if elected.

Monday’s poll indicated that bid would likely fail as it did in 1999.

The turnaround in public sentiment came after Prince Harry and Meghan spent two weeks touring Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands in a tour that drew adoring throngs.

Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex with Meghan Markle the Duchess of Sussex on Day Three of their tour of Australia. Photo: Reuters
Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex with Meghan Markle the Duchess of Sussex on Day Three of their tour of Australia. Photo: Reuters

It was the first international tour for Harry and the American-born former actress since the couple were married in May, and began with the announcement that Meghan was pregnant.

She charmed crowds with a down-to-earth style which saw her halt the royal entourage several times to give shy toddlers a cuddle and bring home-made banana bread to an afternoon tea in the outback town of Dubbo.