Arch monarchist Tony Abbott was refused a date with the Queen following being dumped by his own party.
The now former prime minister requested an audience with Queen Elizabeth II while in London in October, just weeks after losing the prime ministership in a Liberal Party ballot to Malcolm Turnbull, but was refused, according to Fairfax’s Peter Hartcher.
Mr Abbott was reportedly politely told that Her Majesty’s schedule would not be able to allow a meeting, even though she was in London.
According to Hartcher, the Queen had no appointments on Mr Abbott’s final day in London.
The newly-former PM was in London to give a keynote speech at the second annual Margaret Thatcher Lecture which was controversial for his remarks about the Syrian refugee crisis and its potential effect on Europe.
Tony Abbott is a committed monarchist who believes firmly that Australia should not become a republic. He is a former executive director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.
The Queen’s snub came despite Mr Abbott’s ‘captain’s pick’ awarding of an Australian knighthood to her husband, Prince Philip, on Australia Day in January. The national uproar over the honour controversy was a major catalyst for the first spill motion against his leadership in February, culminating in his eventual overthrow in September.
IMAGE: Tony Abbott. (Getty Images)