Claudia Byatt
Legal

Hugh Jackman weighs in on republic debate

Aussie icon Hugh Jackman has shared that he thinks “it’s inevitable” that Australia will become a republic.

"I think Australia will become republican at some point. It feels natural," the Hollywood actor and singer told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.

"It feels like something that is, I would guess inevitable, and I guess would be a natural part of an evolution of a country. You know?”

He also shared that he is both a British and an Australian citizen, and “really appreciated” and admires the service of the King and Queen Elizabeth II, whom he met several times.

"I've met the Queen on several occasions… I see and feel a real genuine desire to be of service to the public," he said.

Jackman’s parents are both from the UK and he recalls celebrating royal occasions as a child.

"My father made us stop doing whatever we could to watch in 1981 the wedding of Lady Di and Prince Charles. We had champagne," the Wolverine star told Kuenssberg.

"So I grew up with a lot of that. There was no bunting in our house, but if my dad could have found that, there would have been bunting and I have absolutely no ill will and I only wish King Charles all the best,” Jackman said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a longstanding republican and has previously mentioned that the country needs an Australian head of state.

In 2018, Mr Albanese described a referendum on the move to become a republic as an “exciting opportunity.”

Mr Albanese went on to say that he would not hold a referendum during his first term out of respect for the late Queen.

Image credit: Getty

Tags:
Hugh Jackman, Australia, Republic, Anthony Albanese