who was monarch when australia became a federation

Australia became a federation in 1901 under Queen Victoria. The Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed on 1 January 1901, and Victoria had given royal assent to the Constitution Act in 1900.

Quick context

• Australia federated on 1 January 1901.
• It remained a constitutional monarchy, so the monarch at the time was Queen Victoria.

• The first federal Parliament was opened later that year by the Duke of Cornwall and York, who later became King George V.

Tiny timeline

1. 9 July 1900 — Queen Victoria gave royal assent to the Constitution Act.

2. 1 January 1901 — Australia became the Commonwealth of Australia.

3. 9 May 1901 — The first federal Parliament opened.

Queen Victoria was the monarch when Australia became a federation.