King Charles receives first major blow from Australia since becoming King

King Charles III has received a shocking news from Australia as his face will be axed from Australian $5 bank notes in huge break from tradition as monarch's royal tour to the country seems to be in doubt after cancer diagnosis.

The long-standing tradition, where the late Queen Elizabeth's face was printed on $5 bank notes in Australia, is set to be broken for the first time since 1992.

The new shocking news comes weeks after Bank of England announced that the First UK banknotes featuring Charles III to be released on 5 June. The portrait of the king will appear on existing designs of all four UK banknotes – the £5, £10, £20 and £50.

The new design will pay tribute to "the culture and history" of indigenous Australians, the Reserve Bank of Australia said when the change was first announced last year, just months after the Queen's death.

Australia's first people are reportedly known as First Nations people, lived in Australia for over 65,000 years before British colonisation.

Assistant Governor (Business Services) Michelle said: "We invite all Australians to reimagine the $5 banknote in the search for themes that reflect our nation’s unique and rich First Nations cultures and history. This could be a story passed down for generations, a location, an idea, an instrument or an object that binds a community."

The bank, which last year claimed the decision was made after a consultation with the government, said that the King will still appear on coins. The move at the time was welcomed by Aboriginal politicians and community leaders.

The king was expected to tour Australia late this year accompanied by Queen Camilla. It would have been the couple’s first visit since 2018.

However, the visit seems to be is in doubt after the monarch was diagnosed with cancer.

It was reported last year that King Charles was planning to visit Australia and New Zealand in October 2024. The royal visit was to coincide with a broader trip to the region for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Samoa.