Palace letters reveal Sir John Kerr dismissed Gough Whitlam without informing the Queen

The Queen was not told about Sir John Kerr's final decision to dismiss Gough Whitlam in 1975.

Gough Whitlam pours a soil in Vincent Lingiari's hands, marking the return of the Gurindji peoples' land. Source: Mervyn Bishop

Sir John Kerr did not tell the Queen of his intention to dismiss then-prime minister Gough Whitlam before the historic decision on 11 November, 1975.

The National Archives of Australia on Tuesday released about 200 letters between the former governor-general and the Queen about the dismissal of the Whitlam government.