Opinion: Most surprising of the Palace letters shines new light on Whitlam
The letters are a marvellous slice of Australian history, vividly portraying the political dramas of the day. Kerr was assiduous in keeping the Queen abreast of political developments. The replies from the Palace were less informative – mostly just grateful for the information and concerned for Kerr’s wellbeing.
Perhaps the most indiscreet line in the letters is the statement by the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Martin Charteris, that the Queen "would take most unkindly to" advice to dismiss the governor-general, but that as a constitutional Sovereign she would have no option but to follow the advice of her prime minister.
The most surprising letter is the account of Whitlam’s call to Charteris after the dismissal. Whitlam, in his book, said that after the drama of the day, he "telephoned a good friend in London, Sir Martin Charteris". He said that it "is a fact that the Queen’s representative in Australia had kept the Queen in the same total ignorance of his actions as he had the Prime Minister of Australia". In this, he was correct. But he never said what he told Charteris.
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