Updated November 5, 2026 — 10:44am , first published 8:56am

St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda: Nothing showed the utter isolation of Anthony Albanese and his fellow Commonwealth leaders quite like their retreat on the final day of their gathering in the Caribbean.

The leaders stepped onto chartered boats to reach a private island where they could talk at a luxury resort secluded from everyone else at the Commonwealth meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.

Anthony Albanese and Queen Camilla during an official dinner and reception at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday. Getty Images

Albanese did not choose the venue. As prime minister, he was right to join the other leaders at a forum Australia has supported for decades.…