Prince Charles set to visit Australia

Prince Charles, Australia's future king, begins a week-long visit to the country today, but the Sunday tabloids virtually ignored him, splashing stories instead about another royal tour, by Denmark's crown prince and princess.

Prince Charles's trip, starting in Perth and going on to Alice Springs, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, has been overshadowed by the current visit of Prince Frederik of Denmark and his bride, the former Australian marketing executive Mary Donaldson.

The Sunday Telegraph did mention the heir to the Australian throne, in a report of a poll showing a surge in support for a republic.

Prince Charles's plan to marry his long-time mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles on April 8 has stirred controversy in Australia as well as Britain. She is not accompanying him to Australia.

About 57 per cent of Australians said they would prefer to dump the monarchy rather than see Prince Charles as king with Mrs Parker Bowles as his wife, while 28 per cent wanted to retain the monarchy and 15 per cent were uncommitted.

A November 1999 referendum on abolishing the monarchy failed, with 45 per cent of Australians voting for a republic and 55 per cent favouring keeping ties with Buckingham Palace.

Prime Minister John Howard campaigned hard five years ago to keep the monarchy. Treasurer Peter Costello, a prime ministerial hopeful, supported the republic.

"I accept the status quo," Mr Costello said in a television interview yesterday.

"Here is the heir to our throne," Mr Costello told Channel Nine. "He wants to visit here. And he should be given a good reception."

Australians will no doubt show their traditional hospitality as Prince Charles crosses the continent this week, said Ted O'Brien, deputy chairman of the Australian Republican Movement.