Royal invite for William and Catherine to come to WA in 2026 as part of expected Australia trip

The Prince and Princess of Wales have received a festive season invite from WA, encouraging them to come west as part of their expected visit to Australia next year.

On the back of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese inviting the Royals to Australia during a meeting with King Charles III earlier this year, WA Liberal senator Dean Smith this week wrote to Buckingham Palace, encouraging the Royals to come to WA.

“Many Australians will be heartened by the Australian Government’s invitation for Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales to visit Australia, made during your audience with the Prime Minister earlier this year,” Senator Smith said in his letter to King Charles III.

“Were the visit to go ahead, I am confident the Prince and Princess would be guaranteed of a warm and genuine reception.

“There would also be great enthusiasm for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to accompany their parents.

“I write to respectfully encourage any such visit to include my home state of Western Australia in the official program.”

There is growing speculation the future King and Queen of England will come to Australia next year.

In his letter to the Royals, Senator Smith — a monarchist — said 2026 was a perfect time to visit WA, given several significant milestones would be celebrated.

These included the 200th anniversary of the landing of a British garrison at Albany on the south-coast of Western Australia and the 198th Anniversary of the settlement of the Swan River Colony, leading to the development of modern Perth.

“Western Australian is also proud of its rich Indigenous heritage, which forms an important foundation for contemporary life in the state, including many sites of great cultural significance in Perth itself and beyond,” Senator Smith wrote.

King Charles III has been frequent visitor to WA, celebrating his 67th birthday in Cottesloe with Queen Camilla.

The late Queen Elizabeth II also visited WA several times.

“It was in Perth that the late Queen concluded her triumphant 1954 Commonwealth tour, having also visited Kalgoorlie, Boulder, Busselton and Albany,” Senator Smith said.

“Her Majesty’s final Australian tour in 2011 also ended in Perth, where she had presided over the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“It is no overstatement that Western Australia captures the best Australia has to offer and is central to national commerce, defence and culture.”

Prince William visited WA with Princess Catherine in 2014.

He held video calls with victims of the 2023 Kimberley floods and just recently wrote to a WA woman who lost her brother in an e-scooter crash.