King Charles III is just days away from his coronation but you wouldn’t know it from the mood on Australia’s streets.
Many people Guardian Australia spoke to in the lead-up to Saturday’s coronation didn’t know it was coming up – and certainly had no intention of pledging allegiance to the king from their couch, as the public will be invited to do.
“I did see a news segment about it this morning,” said Nikki Pitargue, a Melburnian grabbing a coffee at the Queen Victoria Market this week. “So I’m thinking [it’s on] very soon. Somewhere between June and July, maybe?”
After hearing that the coronation was taking place this Saturday, Pitargue said she may watch but she thought she had “other things to do”. Asked if she would be reciting the oath to the new king, she replied: “I can’t imagine doing that, no.”
Others had even less enthusiasm for the coronation.
“[The monarchy] is a complete and utter disgraceful waste of time and money,” said a fellow Melburnian, Leon Cassidy, who had absolutely no plans to watch and would “never” pledge his allegiance to the king.
“It’s a great tourist attraction for England but, as far as this country is concerned, we don’t need it.”
A Guardian Essential poll taken shortly after Queen Elizabeth II’s death last year showed Australians were divided over whether King Charles should be the country’s head of state, with 43% of respondents in favour of becoming a republic, while 37% were in favour of keeping the monarchy. The proportion of people supporting a monarchy had barely moved over the past five years.
Several stalls over from where Cassidy was standing at the Queen Victoria Market, Nakhle Bittar also questioned the relevance of the monarchy in modern-day Australia.
“I respect them but, for me, I don’t care,” he said. “Because we are so far and the influence, it’s just sentimental, that’s all. I’ve seen it on TV, but because I don’t care, I don’t really pay attention.”
When asked if he would recite the oath, Bittar replied: “No, I don’t know him. I would tell that to my father or my God or something. [The king] is just another person.”
In Sydney Dee Broadhurst said she would be watching the coronation for “the pomp and pageantry”.
“I don’t know if I’d physically [swear my allegiance] but he is the leader of the Commonwealth … and almost everyone in my family is service members.
“It’s history. There’s only so many times you get to see a coronation and the last time we did was a long time ago.”
Mark Ritchie and Ralph Tyler, who were also in Sydney, said they were not interested in the coronation, and said they would not be pledging their allegiance to the new king.
When asked why he would not be watching, Ritchie had a strong response: “I think it’s bullshit.”
Others questioned the wisdom of crowning Charles at all. “I think he’s too old to be king,” Jake Capasso said.
“I think they really if they want to do something, and get people interested, they should just have him step down and give it to William.”
Even British tourists didn’t seem to be feeling the royal buzz.
“I don’t even know when the coronation is,” Levi Mann said. “I’m going to say maybe June 4?
“If someone paid me [to say the oath] then I might, but other than that, definitely not … I think we should abolish the monarchy.”
But other British expats were surprised by the lack of fanfare in Australia in the run-up to the big day.
“I do care quite a lot,” said Charlotte Murfin, who travelled to Australia from London six months ago. “I’m very excited for Saturday. I was expecting it to be more of a party going on here but I’ve been trying to find an event to attend and I’ve been struggling to find one.”
Even Murfin didn’t plan to place her hand on her heart and recite the oath to the TV. “I think that might be Charles clutching at straws a little bit. I think that’s a bit over the top.”
