WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) 性视界传媒 Hours before King Charles III was last week, lawmaker Patrick Gorman posted on social media offering free printed portraits of the British royal for any constituents who visited his office in Perth to claim one.

Gorman, an assistant minister in Australia性视界传媒檚 federal government, told The Associated Press that 性视界传媒渁 number性视界传媒 of eager constituents sought a portrait.

The photos of King Charles are available under a little-known government policy that allows every Australian to request, and receive, a portrait of their monarch.

It's unusual in a nation about the British royals as Australia性视界传媒檚 heads of state.

Elsewhere, British institutions can apply for portraits of King Charles, but individuals usually cannot. In New Zealand, free portraits are available for digital download only. Canadians can receive a printed copy from a monarchist organization if they pay for postage.

But Australians can visit their federal representative性视界传媒檚 office and ask for one.

Demand spiked for portraits of Queen Elizabeth II following .

Australian government documents from nearly a year later, released by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, show officials were still waiting for an official portrait of King Charles to be supplied by Buckingham Palace.

That portrait was provided to Australia this July. Since then, more than 17,000 copies have been distributed to lawmakers, the Department of Finance told the AP.

Numbers were not available for how many had been requested by the public.

Lawmakers, at times exasperated, can field dozens of requests each time the program is publicized.

Tim Watts, now associate minister for foreign affairs, wrote on social media in 2018 性视界传媒 during a jump in demand following news coverage of the scheme 性视界传媒 that fulfilling requests for portraits was 性视界传媒渃omfortably the dumbest part of my job.性视界传媒

But while those seeking the images might at times, as Watts noted, have their 性视界传媒渢ongue firmly in cheek," Gorman said there was legitimate interest, too.

He said he had supplied 85 of the King Charles portraits since they became available, and said colleagues in parliament told him they have had 性视界传媒渟trong interest性视界传媒 as well.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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