Australians can expect 'shock to system' from new King

Australians should brace for a "shock to the system" now King Charles III has succeeded Queen Elizabeth following her death, according to one expert.

It has not been since 1952 that Australia has had a king, and during seven decades, Queen Elizabeth has been a figure of widespread respect and stability.

But the monarchy in Australia will see a big shift when the Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne, historian Dr Benjamin Jones of Central Queensland University, told 9News.com.au

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"Compared to his mother - Queen Elizabeth - people realise Charles is human," Dr Jones said.

"His personal life has been laid bare and reflects his humanity, while the Queen maintains the romanticism and even mysticism of monarchy."

With the ascension of Prince Charles, that cloak of near universal respect around the monarchy will be lifted, Dr Jones said.

"People know Charles - like any other human being - has failings - including his first marriage."

Dr Jones said it will be a "shock to the system" when Australians realise their constitutional ruler is a 73-year-old British aristocrat.

But what can we expect from the reign of King Charles III?

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'Love affair with Australia'

Prince Charles is no stranger to Australia, he has visited the country 16 times.

The Queen's eldest son has always enjoyed a strong welcome, and on his last trip here and to Vanuatu in April 2018, he enthused about Australia.

"I love Australia and Australians and I love coming here," he said.

"I was really touched by the welcome from the crowds both here and in Vanuatu."

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And over the years he has demonstrated that affection with action through his charities and reaching out to Aboriginal communities.

During his visit in 2018, he donated thousands of dollars of his own cash to buy several defibrillators for use by the Royal Flying Doctors. He is patron of an organisation in Britain that raises cash for the service.

Prince Charles also cares about indigenous people and their traditions. On that last visit he made a special trip to meet Aboriginal communities.

What will he be like as king?

Prince Charles will want to show he is "not just a ribbon cutter" and that he remains a relevant figure for Australians, Dr Jones said.

And he will ascend to the throne with the reputation of speaking his mind.

Since the 1980s, the Prince of Wales has been forthright in offering opinions on a range of subjects in Britain such as farming, architecture, medicine and climate change.

And he has also pronounced strong opinions outside the UK and Commonwealth.

On his trip to Canada in 2018, he waded into the Ukraine crisis, telling a 78-year old Jewish woman who had fled the Nazis that Russia was "doing just about the same as Hitler".

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said the words were unacceptable and "not what kings do".

He told NBC in a 2010 interview he felt "born into this position for a purpose".

He explained: "I don't want my grandchildren or yours to come along and say to me, 'Why the hell didn't you come and do something about this?'"

But Dr Jones said for all his strong views, Prince Charles will be curtailed by the limits of constitutional monarchy.

"He will want to remain a relevant and contributing figure. He doesn't want to be just a ribbon cutter."

However, once he takes to the throne he will be limited by constitutional restraints to "advising and warning" his ministers and subjects.

What about an Australian republic?

Conventional wisdom has it that when Prince Charles ascends to the throne it will reignite the campaign for an Australian republic.

It's based on the view that he is less popular among Australians than his mother.

Even ardent monarchists have accepted this. In a 2006 interview with the BBC, then Prime Minister John Howard said the respect Queen Elizabeth earned among Australians had proved decisive in stalling any move to a republic.

'I do not believe Australia will become a republic while the Queen is on the throne," Mr Howard said.

Tellingly, he then added: "Beyond that, I do not know."

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But even with a new less popular monarch, the Australian republican movement will face challenges.

A major problem is the split among republican supporters over how a head of state should be chosen.

Under the minimalist model, they would be selected by parliament, while direct-election supporters want the people to directly elect the head of state.

"It is an impasse that must be overcome for republicans to unite and move forward," Dr Jones said.

It's more likely the ascension of King Charles will offer a "period of pause and reflection" about the change in monarch for Australians.

"But people will get used to it after a short time. The only real difference will be a change of face on notes and coins," Dr Jones said.