Premier Roger Cook ‘delighted’ at idea of Prince Harry coming to WA, with King’s Royal Tour still uncertain

Premier Roger Cook would be “delighted” to welcome Prince Harry to Western Australia, describing himself as a “Harry fan” in Parliament on Tuesday. Speaking during budget estimates about the possibility of King Charles visiting WA before the end of this year, Opposition Leader Shane Love asked Mr Cook if he would welcome a visit from the monarch’s estranged second son. “I would be delighted if Prince Harry came to Western Australia - I notice that he’s a more of a polarizing character as far as Royal family members go — I often have this discussion at home, I’m a bit of a Harry fan,” he said. “I’d be very, very happy for Harry to come over. “May I just say it would be just a great opportunity for him to be able to engage with some of the veterans that live in Western Australia.” Governor Chris Dawson’s official secretary Howard Gretton refused to be drawn on whether Prince Harry, who has surrendered his royal titles, would be entitled to stay at Government House on St George’s Terrace. It comes as speculation continues over whether the King will make his first trip Down Under in 2024. Originally forecast for October when the King is scheduled to attend a Pacific Island conference, Mr Gretton said he hoped to be informed by the Palace whether Charles would fly west to Perth. “We are very excited about the prospect of the Royal Tour, obviously, we don’t have any details on that at this present moment,” Mr Gretton said. “We’re totally because at the mercy or the courtesy of the Palace as far as that’s concerned, we don’t have any details on that - we would hope to be told within the next few months “In terms of preparation, we are working along the lines of maintenance and other issues around the house making sure that we are properly prepared for the possibility of that for that later in the year.” Mr Cook, who has written to the King suggesting a WA leg to a nation tour, said the Government had an idea of what the King could do and see while in the State. “We suggested a range of activities that the King could consider if he was to come to Western Australia, so we have an idea about the sort of activities that we should be ready to make happen in the event that we are given the go ahead,” he said. “Ultimately, though, we just have to be ready to move. It is essentially up to (the Palace) in terms of the itinerary and the timing and how much notice we get.” It is likely the King would stay at Government House, the official residence of the Governor, while in WA, while Mr Gretton confirmed had recently had security increased. Following on from an intruder during Governor Kim Beazley’s term, Mr Gretton said the security profile had lifted of the building, and as such, at least two security officers were now rostered on 24 hours a day.