Questions relating to Commonwealth Realms

[yvr girl]

I don't think there is an appetite to open up the debate again, especially since there is no big win in dumping the monarchy.

I really don't see unifying with the USA happening. I think it is getting less likely all the time. We are close enough to see all their warts up close. We like our health care system, we like our economy, we have less appetite for military spending.

[CSENYC]

Why doesn't the UK Royal Family try to shore up support for the monarchy in Australia by, for example, visiting more often? With the recent royal wedding, William and Kate are doing a tour of Canada. I'd think that sending them to Australia for a long period would significantly benefit the monarchy, and others could spend more time there.

[osmond75]

There is a strong need to shore up the Monarchy in Australia. even the current Prime Minister of Australia said that the Monarchy may only last till the current Queen is alive, which is such a shame!. Being in Canada, I can say that the Monarchy is one of the most distinctive attributes of being Canadian and with the exception of the secessionist Quebecious, love for the royal family is genuine and heartwarming. Cheers to that!

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by CSENYC

Why doesn't the UK Royal Family try to shore up support for the monarchy in Australia by, for example, visiting more often? With the recent royal wedding, William and Kate are doing a tour of Canada. I'd think that sending them to Australia for a long period would significantly benefit the monarchy, and others could spend more time there.

They can't just turn up.

The government has to invite them to visit and with a Labor government, led by an avowed republican they don't get invited all that often.

Although they say they enjoy it when they are here it is also a long way from their family and friends in Britain.

The royal family also visit Canada about three or four times as often as they come down under - because the Canadian government invite them more often.

William and Kate were supposed to be coming here later this year but as New Zealand is about to have an election for their new government and the royals won't want to be seen as favouring one side or other of politics - and visiting Australia without going to New Zealand, except in the very rarest of occasions, isn't normally done, they have had to postpone the tour down under.

Depending on when Kate gets pregnant I would expect them to get an invite down here next year - after New Zealand has had their elections, and assuming that we don't go to the polls early.

The Queen is coming later this year for CHOGM and is also reportedly coming to the east coast (I have heard a rumour that she would like to go to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup - our biggest horse race and one she hasn't attended).

Would having them visit more often change the views of Australians about a republic - I doubt it. They are good entertainers, as celebrities need to be, but they don't have anything to do with Australia - and William actively campaigned against Australia's bid for the World Cup - a very good reason for us to become a republic - to have one of our own as our Head of State instead of a foreigner who can only come here when invited.

The heir to the throne hasn't been here since early 2005 - probably because the powers that be know that his wife would be snubbed. He rarely visits Commonwealth countries these days - probably to avoid outright negativity of low crowds etc. With the huge crowds turning out to see William and Kate Charles will probably have to visit even less - to avoid the obvious negative press and the calls for him to be passed over.

[osmond75]

Remember the crown jewel of the Commonwealth- Yes INDIA - which had literally thousands of royal states or princely states ruled by Maharajahs, which became a part of India. After the privy purse was abolished in 1971, the Indian royals have adapted and have converted their palaces into museums and hotels. When India was part of the British Raj(Empire) - these Maharajah`s were the most flamboyant and grandest in the world. Most of them spent fortune in jewels, palaces and costly cars.The early part of the 20th century can best be described as an Indian Royal Renaissance! Long Live the Indian Royal Houses!!