It is the only time to date that an Australian democratically-elected government has been dismissed on the UK monarch's authority.
The correspondence also reveals Sir John acted out of fear of his own dismissal and the position the situation would put the Queen in.
The newly-sacked leader made a famous speech on the steps of Parliament House in Canberra, saying:"Well may we say 'God save the Queen' - because nothing will save the governor-general." The newly-released letters show the Queen's private secretary said Mr Whitlam rang him at 4.15am on the day of his dismissal.Sir Martin said Mr Whitlam"spoke calmly and did not ask me to any approach to the Queen, or indeed to do anything other than the suggestion that I should speak to you to find out what was going on".
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