Former SA premier’s royal visit
A former SA Premier has met with His Majesty King Charles III for the first time in his new role representing Australia on the global stage.
Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK Jay Weatherill met with King Charles III last week in his first audience with the monarch since beginning the role in January.
Weatherill and his wife, Melissa Bailey were received for a private audience with the King at St James’s Palace – the most senior royal palace in London.
It was “a valuable opportunity to reflect on the deep and historic connections between our two nations,” the High Commission said on social media.
High Commissioners and Ambassadors each have an audience with the King shortly after beginning the role, and there are more than 170 based in London at any given time, according to the Royal Family.
Details of the discussions are private under royal protocol. An audience with the King generally lasts about twenty minutes and begins with the High Commissioner presenting a formal letter to the King that indicates the High Commissioner can be trusted to speak on behalf of Australia.
You might like
Weatherill was appointed High Commissioner in November 2025 and officially began the role on January 26.
Weatherill said then, “I couldn’t think of a better day to start than Australia Day”.
“At the Australian High Commission to the UK, that means continuing to strengthen the relationship between our two nations, and building on our strong and diverse cultures,” Weatherill said.
Stay informed, daily
Weatherill led the state between 2011 and 2018, and served in the SA parliament for 16 years, where he drove debate on defence capability, renewable energy targets and environmental protection issues.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Weatherill’s appointment was “entirely appropriate”.
“As Premier, he was instrumental in establishing South Australia’s leadership in the defence industry, including in construction of submarines,” Albanese said.
“As a proud South Australian and as our next High Commissioner, Jay is well placed to take forward AUKUS in our nation’s interests.”
Weatherill was Premier in 2015, when King Charles (then Prince) and his wife Camilla visited South Australia as the first stop on their Royal Tour of Australia.
King Charles toured Australia as King in October 2024, but only visited Sydney and Canberra.
Current SA Premier Peter Malinauskas also met King Charles in September 2025, where the King was presented with a wind turbine made out of copper to represent SA.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
