The Palace letters have just blown apart the claim that the Queen played no part in Sir John Kerr's decisions | Jenny Hocking palaceletters
These include Kerr’s concern that prime minister Whitlam might recall him as governor-general, which he discussed with Prince Charles in September 1975 in a profound breach of political and constitutional practice.
Let’s take just one example, from the first glimpse at the letters, Charteris’ letter to Kerr of November 4, 1975, on the reserve powers: "Those powers do exist … but to use them is a heavy responsibility … I think you are playing the “Vice-Regal” hand with skill and wisdom your interest in the situation has been demonstrated and so has your impartiality the fact that you have the powers is recognised but it is also clear that you will only use them in the last resort and then only for...
This is just the first day of viewing these extraordinarily significant letters and there is much still to see and even more to assess. As we delve deeper into them, just as important as what is in the letters will be what isn’t there – the gaps, the events and people who should be but aren’t. Like the then High Court justice Sir Anthony Mason for instance, Kerr’s secret guide and confidante whose role remained secret for 37 years.
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