King Charles III has begins his first tour of Australia as monarch, fueling controversy about whether the country should cut ties with the British monarchy and become a republic.
The nine-day tour also takes in a Commonwealth summit in the Pacific island nation of Samoa.
The two-nation visit comes with growing calls for reparations for slavery from Caribbean leaders whose countries are members of the 56-nation club of mostly former British colonies.
In Australia, where Charles is also the head of state, anti-monarchist groups have been selling “Farewell tour” merchandise to supporters.
Meanwhile, reports say that all of Australia’s state premiers have turned down invitations to meet the king at a reception in the capital, Canberra.
