William and Commonwealth Realms

[Myself1995]

Do commonwealth countries pay taxes to support the BRF?

[wbenson]

The only time they incur public expense in a commonwealth realm is, as far as I know, when they make official trips to the country. Otherwise, the money that in the UK would go to support the office of the monarch goes to fund the local Governor-General.

[Mermaid1962]

That's true. We only pay expenses when they're in the country.

Originally Posted by wbenson

The only time they incur public expense in a commonwealth realm is, as far as I know, when they make official trips to the country. Otherwise, the money that in the UK would go to support the office of the monarch goes to fund the local Governor-General.

[Myself1995]

That's true. We only pay expenses when they're in the country

I was suprised when Canada had an election awhile back, and the news kept saying that the Q of E might step in and somehow put the election on hold - I guess I didn't know the BRF had any real power in England, much less in other countries.

[Mermaid1962]

It's actually the Governor General who exercises those powers here. The Governor General doesn't act against the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. But if a new election were to be called, the GG would have to sign off on it. Ultimately, it's a democratic system.

Originally Posted by Myself1995

I was suprised when Canada had an election awhile back, and the news kept saying that the Q of E might step in and somehow put the election on hold - I guess I didn't know the BRF had any real power in England, much less in other countries.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by karla64

Prince William Pictures - Visit of HRH Prince William To The Organisation Skills Force - Zimbio


Prince william accidently reveals secret plan his first Commonwealth tour Gasp!!

Prince William accidentally reveals top secret plan to take first Commonwealth tour | Mail Online

As next year is an election year in Australia any timing would have to be very carefully thought out so that it can't be seen as the British royals trying to influence the vote e.g. by showing support for the incumbent government for instance.

As there is also the possibility (at the moment it isn't on the agenda for that time but that doesn't mean that it won't be) that there could be a plebiscite attached to the election about Australia becoming a republic it would be very difficult to have a royal visit in the lead up to such an event.

I am not saying the visit won't happen just that there are considerations that may mean it won't.

Note that the article says that the PM's of both countries haven't been informed of this decision yet and it is possible that the PM won't extend an invitation.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

I am not saying the visit won't happen just that there are considerations that may mean it won't.

Note that the article says that the PM's of both countries haven't been informed of this decision yet and it is possible that the PM won't extend an invitation.

It is understood he plans to go next spring and would visit as an official representative of the Queen at the request of the Foreign office.The move will also help ease the burden of foreign travel on his 83-year-old grandmother

Prince William tells tourists of Australia trip plans - Telegraph

[Vongentry]

My question is simple....Is it true or faulse that prince William will visit Australia...

[Iluvbertie]

True.

At some stage in the future William will visit Australia.
However - whether that is next year officially or at some later date is unclear.

There are reports in various papers that he has indicated that he is to visit next year however the reports also indicate that there have been no official invitation extended by Mr Rudd and the government for him to do so.

At this stage - as far as next year is concerned the simple answer is - we don't know.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

It is understood he plans to go next spring and would visit as an official representative of the Queen at the request of the Foreign office.The move will also help ease the burden of foreign travel on his 83-year-old grandmother

Prince William tells tourists of Australia trip plans - Telegraph

But if the Australian government don't wont a representative of the Queen at the request of a foreign countries' Foreign Office he won't come.

It has to be by mutual agreement.

The British government can NOT just tell the Australian government "We are sending you an official representative of the Queen" anymore. We are an independent country and control who enters this country.

If the Australian government issues an invitation then he may come as an official representative of the Queen but until the Australian government agrees he can't. He has no more right to come here than any other British citizen - he needs the permission of the Australian government, just as I need the permission of the British government to enter Britain.

I am not saying it won't happen just that it isn't only up to the British government/Foreign Office to decide but that the Australian government also has to agree.

[RoyalistRiley]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

As next year is an election year in Australia any timing would have to be very carefully thought out so that it can't be seen as the British royals trying to influence the vote e.g. by showing support for the incumbent government for instance.

As there is also the possibility (at the moment it isn't on the agenda for that time but that doesn't mean that it won't be) that there could be a plebiscite attached to the election about Australia becoming a republic it would be very difficult to have a royal visit in the lead up to such an event.

I am not saying the visit won't happen just that there are considerations that may mean it won't.

Note that the article says that the PM's of both countries haven't been informed of this decision yet and it is possible that the PM won't extend an invitation.

If the republic is not on the immediate agenda, then it shouldn't matter whether a royal visit is made and if one is, it shouldn't be seen as an attempt to influence voters to swing to the monarchist side as the republicans will be parading all of their high-profile supporters, no doubt.

[Sereta]

Can someone please tell me what all the countries of the Commonwealth are? I know Australia and Canada are part of it, but I don't know what the other countries are.

[Marsel]

The list of 53 independent sovereign states - members of the Commonwealth of Nations can be found in this Wikipedia article.
The Commonwealth realms (16 Sovereign States within the Commonwealth of Nations that share the same Head of the State - currently Queen Elizabeth II) are the following:

In North America

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Canada
* Grenada
* Jamaica
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In Oceania

* Australia
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Solomon Islands
* Tuvalu

In Europe

* United Kingdom

[Sereta]

Thank you Marsel. I wasn't expecting a response so quickly.
Wow! I didn't realize there were 53 in the commonwealth and in such diverse areas. Some of the countries? I never even heard of.

[lumutqueen]

It's wonderful being apart of this Commonwealth of Nations.
And one day I hope William will be the head of state of all of the realms and 53 nations.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by lumutqueen

It's wonderful being apart of this Commonwealth of Nations.
And one day I hope William will be the head of state of all of the realms and 53 nations.

As a citizen of one of the countries other than Great Britain, I hope that he is never King of Australia.

By the time he becomes King of Britain I hope that we have an Australian as our Head of State.

Of course when that happens the rest of the Commonwealth will have to decide whether or not we stay in the Commonwealth and I really can't see a point in that any more.

The only time we hear of the Commonwealth in Australia is the Commonwealth Games and CHOGM. So whether he ever becomes Head of the Commonwealth is rather meaningless to many citizens within that organisation as there is no benefit to belonging that I am aware of - it made sense before Britain sold out its Commonwealth and joined the European Union but now it is just a pointless talkfest for the leaders and a chance for our athletes to attend a sporting festival every four years.

[Marsel]

There is a hope that when England gets a new Government after next elections (and for the sake of the country, I hope they it does), it will re-define the Governments priorities and the Commonwealth will be meaningful once again.
I agree though that it is increasingly unlikely William will be King of all 16 current Commonwealth Realms.

[Mermaid1962]

I rather enjoy being in the Commonwealth. I see it as belonging to a voluntary club of nations. There must be some sort of advantage to being in the Commonwealth because republics such as India are still within the Commonwealth without having the Queen as the head of state. The Commonwealth can exercise influence by suspending countries--such as happened with South Africa at one time--because of human rights abuses.

Here's the home page. The Republic of Fiji has been suspended: http://www.thecommonwealth.org

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

The only time we hear of the Commonwealth in Australia is the Commonwealth Games and CHOGM. So whether he ever becomes Head of the Commonwealth is rather meaningless to many citizens within that organisation as there is no benefit to belonging that I am aware of - it made sense before Britain sold out its Commonwealth and joined the European Union but now it is just a pointless talkfest for the leaders and a chance for our athletes to attend a sporting festival every four years.

[Marsel]

I agree, membership in the Commonwealth of Nations must be beneficial for member - states, otherwise they would have left the organization years ago.
It's rather like Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which unites 10 of the 15 former Soviet Republics: everyone loves to say it's useless but the CIS does actually solve questions and unites people from different countries.

[rchat]

Originally Posted by Marsel

The list of 53 independent sovereign states - members of the Commonwealth of Nations can be found in this Wikipedia article.
The Commonwealth realms (16 Sovereign States within the Commonwealth of Nations that share the same Head of the State - currently Queen Elizabeth II) are the following:

In North America

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Canada
* Grenada
* Jamaica
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In Oceania

* Australia
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Solomon Islands
* Tuvalu

In Europe

* United Kingdom

Looking at this extensive list (including what's on Wikipedia) I'm just wondering, has the Queen actually visited all of these places in the Commonwealth?
And would William be expected to visit all of the countries/regions that are still a part of the Commonwealth when he reigns?