King Charles Jokes About Australia at Tate Visit
King Charles made a light-hearted remark about Australia during an after-hours visit to Tate Britain in London on Tuesday, in a moment that came shortly after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced plans to travel Down Under in April. The King, 77, toured a major exhibition marking the 250th anniversaries of artists JMW Turner and John Constable, and his comment drew laughter from staff as he viewed one of Turner’s works.
During the tour, Hello Magazine reported that the King asked how many other artworks might be hidden away “in Australia or something” while discussing a painting that had been in Tasmania until it was recently discovered.
The exchange happened as Charles examined Turner’s The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol, an oil painting of the River Avon on a stormy day, which had been considered lost for many years. The exhibition’s curator, Ms Amy Concannon, explained the work’s history, prompting the King to react with visible enthusiasm and to praise the painting as “marvellous”, according to the report.
The King’s appearance also came as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed a mid-April trip to Sydney and Melbourne for a series of private, business and philanthropic engagements, a visit that follows ongoing discussion about the family’s relationships since their move to the United States, including whether Prince Harry could be welcomed back by the Royal Family in future.
Charles is known for his interest in art and has previously spoken about painting as a relaxing pastime, often travelling with his materials in the hope of finding time to work. The Tate visit highlighted that longstanding passion, while also underscoring how closely even minor public moments are watched when they coincide with developments involving his youngest son.
