London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025

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 Mortgage Rates Edge Lower as Bank of England Base Rate Cut Filters Through Lending Market
U.S. Supermarket Gives Customers Free Groceries for Christmas After Computer Glitch
Air India ‘Finds’ a Plane That Vanished 13 Years Ago
Caviar and Foie Gras? China Is Becoming a Luxury Food Powerhouse
Hong Kong Climbs to Second Globally in 2025 Tourism Rankings Behind Bangkok
From Sunniest Year on Record to Terror Plots and Sports Triumphs: The UK’s Defining Stories of 2025
Greta Thunberg Released on Bail After Arrest at London Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Banksy Unveils New Winter Mural in London Amid Festive Season Excitement
UK Households Face Rising Financial Strain as Tax Increases Bite and Growth Loses Momentum
UK Government Approves Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedford Poised to Rival Disneyland Paris
UK Gambling Shares Slide as Traders Respond to Steep Tax Rises and Sector Uncertainty
Starmer and Trump Coordinate on Ukraine Peace Efforts in Latest Diplomatic Call
The Pilot Barricaded Himself in the Cockpit and Refused to Take Off: "We Are Not Leaving Until I Receive My Salary"
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
UK Government Declines to Comment After ICC Prosecutor Alleges Britain Threatened to Defund Court Over Israel Arrest Warrant
Apple Shutters All Retail Stores in the United Kingdom Under New National COVID-19 Lockdown
US–UK Technology Partnership Strains as Key Trade Disagreements Emerge
UK Police Confirm No Further Action Over Allegation That Andrew Asked Bodyguard to Investigate Virginia Giuffre
Giuffre Family Expresses Deep Disappointment as UK Police Decline New Inquiry Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Claims
Transatlantic Trade Ambitions Hit a Snag as UK–US Deal Faces Emerging Challenges
Ex-ICC Prosecutor Alleges UK Threatened to Withdraw Funding Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Bid
UK Disciplinary Tribunal Clears Carter-Ruck Lawyer of Misconduct in OneCoin Case
‘Pink Ladies’ Emerge as Prominent Face of UK Anti-Immigration Protests
Nigel Farage Says Reform UK Has Become Britain’s Largest Party as Labour Membership Falls Sharply
Google DeepMind and UK Government Launch First Automated AI Lab to Accelerate Scientific Discovery
UK Economy Falters Ahead of Budget as Growth Contracts and Confidence Wanes
Australia Approves Increased Foreign Stake in Strategic Defence Shipbuilder
×