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The monarchy of Australia is a form of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign. Australia is a constitutional monarchy, modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary government, incorporating features unique to the Constitution of Australia.
King Charles III, styled King of Australia, acceded to the throne on 9 September 2022 upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II (due to a timezone difference, the date was 9 September in Australia and 8 September in the United Kingdom). The monarch is represented in Australia by the governor-general, in accordance with the Australian constitution and Letters Patent from the King. In each of the states, the monarch is represented by a governor, appointed on the advice of each of the respective state governments.
In Australia King Charles III is styled: "Charles III by the Grace of God, King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth" (thus omitting the "Defender of the Faith" title used in the United Kingdom and some other realms).
The Australian monarch, besides reigning in Australia, separately serves as monarch for a number of other Commonwealth countries known as Commonwealth realms. This developed from the former colonial relationship of these countries to Great Britain, but they are now independent of each other and are legally distinct. | 
