London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 22, 2026

Queen meets Australian PM face-to-face after major Brexit trade deal

Queen meets Australian PM face-to-face after major Brexit trade deal

The Queen has welcomed the Australian prime minister to Windsor Castle for a private audience after he signed a breakthrough post-Brexit free trade deal with the UK.


The monarch smiled as Scott Morrison told her she had been ‘a hit’ among world leaders at the G7 summit during their meeting on Tuesday.

It comes after Boris Johnson said his new trade deal marked a ‘new dawn in the UK’s relationship with Australia, underpinned by our shared history and common values’.

The tariff-free agreement will see Brits under 35 be allowed to live and work in Australia for three years without having to do farm work.

British products such as cars, Scotch whisky and biscuits will also become cheaper to sell to Aussies.

Her Majesty, who is also monarch of Australia, was heard telling Mr Morrison it was ‘very nice to see you in person this time’.

She has previously called the politician on the phone to ask how Australia is coping with the coronavirus crisis.

After summoning Mr Morrison over for a photocall, the Queen asked if she had ‘missed him’ when she popped into the G7 summit in Cornwall last weekend.

Mr Morrison replied: ’That was just the G7, we were just an extension part, as they call them.

‘But you were quite the hit! Everyone was talking about you at dinner the next night.’

She replied: ‘Oh Lord, were they really?’

Queen Elizabeth II receives Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during an audience in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle

The PM told Her Majesty she was ‘a hit’ at the G7 summit

Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the garden of 10 Downing Street, London, after agreeing the broad terms of a free trade deal


He told her: ’They were, they were thrilled to see you.’

The Queen hit the headlines when she quipped ‘are you supposed be looking as if you’re enjoying it’ as G7 posed for a photograph at an evening banquet on Friday.

The Australian PM was invited as a guest to Carbis Bay, but went to enjoy a relaxed evening at local pub The Old Quay House Inn as the G7 had dinner.

Australians have been left unimpressed by Mr Morrison’s trip to England as a foreign travel ban remains in place across the country amid the pandemic.

Some left angry comments on a social media post from the Jamaica Inn which said owners were ‘extremely honoured’ to welcome the PM for a pint and a sandwich last week.

Katharina Zink Attana wrote: ‘Looks like a great restaurant! Sadly it highlights the double standards.

‘Scomo is trying to tell Australians that UK is Covid riddled and if it wasn’t for him keeping borders completely shut we would all risk a sure death.’

Clare Thompson added: ‘Ahhh I’d love to be drinking in the pub with my UK family who I’ve not seen in three years – oh wait, I’m in Australia and we’re trapped here and told of Covid ravaged UK / poor quarantine systems.’

After meeting Mr Morrison, the Queen watched the racing at Royal Ascot on TV as the five-day meet began on Tuesday.

Racing manager John Warren said she is hoping to attend the Berkshire racecourse later in the week.

American President Joe Biden joined the Queen for tea at Windsor Castle on Sunday with wife Jill.

The Democrat told reporters Her Majesty reminded him of his mother ’in terms of the look of her and just the generosity’.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Universities and Industry Expand Space and Defense Research Partnerships
House of Lords Approves Social Housing Bill Amendments on Shared Ownership Rights
House of Lords Advances Civil Aviation Bill With New Passenger Protection Measures
UK Government Suspends Tariffs on Fertilizer and Food Imports to Reduce Costs
Russell Group Universities Support New UK Business Department Focused on Innovation
UK Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Transport Barriers Facing Young Jobseekers
Home Builders Federation Calls for Lower Costs as New UK Government Sets Housing Priorities
Andy Burnham Meets UK Devolved Leaders to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
Andy Burnham Holds First International Calls With Trump, Macron, and Zelenskyy
Andy Burnham Reshuffles Cabinet With John Healey Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer
Andy Burnham Government Removes VAT From Electricity Bills to Cut Household Costs
Andy Burnham Becomes United Kingdom Prime Minister After Sir Keir Starmer Resigns
Miliband Sets Climate and International Law at Centre of UK Diplomacy
US Gasoline Returns to $4 as Renewed Iran Fighting Disrupts Oil Flows
Czech Central Bank Governor Rejects Early Euro Entry and Rate-Cut Pressure
Trump Orders 50% Tariffs on Selected Canadian Imports
Pentagon Discloses Nearly 100 US Troop Injuries During Renewed Iran Fighting
Trump Readies New Tariffs as Temporary Global Levy Nears Expiry
US Judge Pauses Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery Merger Over Antitrust Concerns
NHS England Faces Growing Retention Pressure Among Younger Midwives
UK Data Centre Expansion Faces Water and Grid Capacity Challenges
UK Defence Shares Rise After John Healey Appointment and Continued Spending Commitments
OECD Urges UK Government to Review Pension Triple Lock to Protect Public Finances
Bank of England Keeps Cautious Approach as Energy Costs Threaten Inflation Progress
County Councils Call for Wider Devolution and Long-Term Social Care Funding Reform
IMF Urges UK Government to Maintain Fiscal Discipline as Growth Forecast Slows
Russian Warship Holds Live-Fire Exercises Near UK Coast as Royal Navy Monitors Activity
Mitie Agrees Three Point One Billion Pound Takeover by OCS in Another Blow to London Listings
JPMorgan Chase Warns Bank Levies Could Hit UK Growth and Drive Capital Away
UK Unemployment Holds at Four Point Nine Percent as Labour Market Shows Resilience
UK Government Borrowing Falls Below Forecasts as Treasury Receives Early Fiscal Boost
John Healey Cuts VAT on Household Electricity Bills After Cancelling National Digital ID Scheme
Andy Burnham Forms New Labour Government With Ten-Year National Renewal Plan
EU Imposes Record €550 Million Digital Services Fine on AliExpress
UK Publishes Updated Consumption-Based Carbon Emissions Data
English Regions Prepare for Expanded Devolution and Infrastructure Powers
Russell Group Backs New Government and Calls for Stronger University-Industry Links
Bank of England Maintains Restrictive Monetary Policy Amid Persistent Inflation
Climate Progress Report Renews Debate Over the UK's Net Zero Strategy
New UK Government Launches Drive to End Rough Sleeping and Expand Social Housing
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Appoints John Healey as Chancellor in Cabinet Reshuffle
OECD Calls for Structural Reforms as UK Economy Faces Slower Growth
International Monetary Fund Expects UK Economic Growth to Slow to One Percent in 2026
Andy Burnham Takes Office as UK Prime Minister and Unveils Decade-Long Reform Agenda
London’s Housing Starts Collapse as Planning and Building Costs Stall Development
Charlie Sheen’s Daughter: "My Dad Didn’t Buy Me a House, My Breasts Bought It"
Vivienne Westwood Casts Cicciolina, 74, in Its New Autumn Campaign
Dejavu: Germany’s Military Expansion Reshapes Europe’s Strategic Balance With France
Naturally Conceived Identical Quadruplets Born in Rare Brisbane Delivery
Tate Brothers Fight British Extradition Bid After Miami Arrests
×