Today co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon have condemned the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) for igniting debate about the monarchy before Queen Elizabeth II has even been buried.
In an astonishing spray on Saturday morning, Stefanovic said it was inappropriate to engage in such a conversation during a period of mourning, before taking aim at ARM leader Peter FitzSimons and founding member Malcolm Turnbull.
He remarked that having ‘pasty white guys’ as the figureheads for the movement would guarantee its failure.
‘There’s still people out there doing it. I just think it’s so rude,’ he said.
‘Let me tell you, it is not going to happen while you’ve got pasty white guys like Peter FitzSimons and Malcolm Turnbull fronting up in Australia,’ Stefanovic added.
Langdon agreed, adding: ‘I did tell Peter if he was at the front of the movement, I would always vote for a monarchy.’
Today co-hosts Karl Stefanovic (left) and Allison Langdon (right) condemned the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) for igniting debate about the monarchy before Queen Elizabeth II has even been buried on Monday
In an astonishing spray on Saturday morning, Stefanovic said it was inappropriate to engage in such a conversation during a period of mourning, before taking aim at ARM leader Peter FitzSimons (pictured) and founding member Malcolm Turnbull
While the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has temporarily suspended its push for a republic until after the Queen’s burial, its leader FitzSimons has long campaigned for the British Royal Family to be eradicated from Australian political life.
FitzSimons has also previously made public statements criticising King Charles III, formerly the Prince of Wales, telling Daily Mail Australia in June he expected republican sentiment to ‘get a surge once Australia leans in close and looks at’ the new king.
He also drew the ire of monarchists earlier this month by issuing a statement about the Queen’s death before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a chance to.
‘Let me tell you, it is not going to happen while you’ve got pasty white guys like Peter FitzSimons and Malcolm Turnbull fronting up in Australia,’ Stefanovic added
Langdon agreed, saying: ‘I did tell Peter if he was at the front of the movement, I would always vote for a monarchy’
FitzSimons is married to Stefanovic’s former Today co-anchor Lisa Wilkinson, who is fronting Channel 10 and The Project’s coverage of Her Majesty’s funeral in London.
The ‘irony’ of her arrival in London on Monday was apparently not lost on many industry figures, reports The Australian’s Media Diary.
However, sources at Channel 10 said there were no misgivings about sending Wilkinson, who has impeccable knowledge of royal matters from her decades as a magazine editor.
While the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has temporarily suspended its push for a republic until after the Queen’s burial, its leader FitzSimons has long campaigned for the British Royal Family to be eradicated from Australian political life
Australia last held a referendum on becoming a republic in 1999, with the country deciding to remain a constitutional monarchy.
Britain, world leaders and royalty from across the globe will on Monday bid a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth, the last towering figure of her era, at a state funeral of inimitable pageantry.
At 5:30am GMT, an official lying-in-state period ends after four days in which hundreds of thousands have queued to file past the casket of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch at London’s historic Westminster Hall.
FitzSimons is married to Stefanovic’s former Today co-anchor Lisa Wilkinson, who is fronting Channel 10 and The Project’s coverage of Her Majesty’s funeral in London
They, like many across the globe including U.S. President Joe Biden, had wanted to pay tribute to the 96-year-old who had spent seven decades on the British throne.
‘You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years,’ Biden said. ‘We all were.’
Shortly before 11am GMT, the oak coffin, covered in the Royal Standard flag with the Imperial State Crown on top, will be placed on a gun carriage and pulled by naval personnel to Westminster Abbey for her funeral.
The ‘irony’ of her arrival in London to front Channel 10 and The Project’s coverage of Her Majesty’s funeral on Monday was apparently not lost on many industry figures
Among the 2,000 in the congregation will be some 500 world leaders, including Biden, Emperor Naruhito of Japan, Wang Qishan, the Vice President of China, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Queen’s great-grandchildren, Prince George, nine, and Princess Charlotte, seven, the two eldest children of now heir to the throne Prince William, will also be attending.
‘Over the last 10 days, my wife and I have been so deeply touched by the many messages of condolence and support we have received from this country and across the world,’ Charles, Elizabeth’s son and the new king, said in a statement.
Australia last held a referendum on becoming a republic in 1999, with the country deciding to remain a constitutional monarchy. (The Queen, who died on September 8, is pictured in 2018)
‘As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief.’
Elizabeth died aged 96 on September 8 at her Scottish summer home, Balmoral Castle.
Her health had been in decline, and for months the monarch who had carried out hundreds of official engagements well into her nineties had withdrawn from public life, although just two days before her death she had appointed Liz Truss her 15th and final prime minister.
Britain, world leaders and royalty from across the globe will on Monday bid a final farewell to Queen Elizabeth, the last towering figure of her era, at a state funeral of inimitable pageantry. (Pictured: U.S. President Joe Biden, right, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, centre, are welcomed by Master of the Household Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, left, as they arrive at Buckingham Palace for a State Reception in honour of the late Queen on Sunday)
FitzSimons previously made public statements criticising King Charles III, formerly the Prince of Wales, telling Daily Mail Australia in June he expected republican sentiment to ‘get a surge once Australia leans in close and looks at’ the new king. (King Charles III is pictured with Camilla, Queen Consort, on September 13 during their visit to Northern Ireland)
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