That afternoon, a reception and lunch was hosted by the Governor-General for the royal couple.

October 24th was an “away day” in Brisbane. The Queen and the Duke hopped aboard a river boat and traveled up the Brisbane River to Southbank. Once ashore, they visited the Queensland Performing Arts Center.

That afternoon, the royals met with emergency response personnel and members of the communities affected by the floods. The Queen and Prince Philip attended a re-dedication Ceremony of Rainforest and the opening of Rain Bank.

The Queen and Prince Philip were back in Canberra on Tuesday, October 25th. They visited the Australian War Memorial and viewed the Afghanistan Memorial, where the Queen placed a wreath. Later, the royal couple met with Australian Defense Force Personnel at Orientation Hall.

October 26th: Prince Philip and The Queen participated in another Away Day, this time in Melbourne, where they opened the Royal Children’s Hospital. That afternoon they toured Melbourne, starting with a visit to the Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria; a walk through Federation Square and a ride on a Melbourne Tram; attended a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria at Government House. The Queen was resplendent in pink throughout.

After the Away Day activities, The Queen and The Duke departed Melbourne for Perth.

On Thursday, October 27th, the royals paid a visit to Clontarf Aboriginal College. The Duke of Edinburgh was especially keen to see the sporting facilities. Afterwards, they attended a Garden Party at Government House, where the Queen turned out in her second stunning turquoise and white ensemble for the day.

Approximately one hundred students from across Western Australia lined a path to the lower gardens, when the Duke stopped to chat. Philip asked why the students were in pairs, and when told it was because they were the head boys and girls, he said in his typical blunt fashion: “It’s obvious they didn’t choose the attractive ones then”. (!)

Premier Colin Barnett was pleased to have the royal visitors come to the country, and he thanked the Queen and Prince Philip for visiting WA and presented the royals with a gift – a book of drawings of wild flowers from the Eastern Goldfields by Phillipa Nikulinsky.

October 28th: Her Majesty arrived at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The opening featured a vast array of leaders from around the world: 25 Prime Ministers, 10 Presidents, five Vice-Presidents, two Deputy Prime Ministers, one High Commissioner, a lord and the Sultan of Brunei.

“I have had the good fortune, together with Prince Philip, to attend many CHOGMs over many years. Their importance has always been in precise relationship to their relevance: always being attuned to the issues of the day, and always looking to the future with a sense of vision and practical action to match. In your deliberations over the days ahead, you have the encouragement of the whole Commonwealth to maintain this vital tradition.” – The Queen’s speech at the CHOGM

That evening, the royal couple attended a banquet at the Pan Pacific Hotel. For this occasion, the Queen busted out her best parure for the occasion – the brilliant aquamarine set in honor of the brilliantly blue ocean that surrounds Australia.

These gems are gifts from Brazil. The earrings and matching necklace were a Coronation gift to The Queen from the President and People of Brazil in 1953.

The stones sit inside a diamond and platinum setting. A few years later, in 1958, a bracelet and matching brooch were presented to The Queen by the Brazilian Government as a matching set to the original Coronation presents. Elizabeth then requested that royal jeweler Garrard complete the parure with a stunning tiara.

On Saturday, October 29th, the Queen and the Duke were feted by the Australian community during “The Big Aussie BBQ”. In the spirit of outdoor eating, the Queen topped off her elegant maroon and white outfit with a hat eerily reminiscent of a marshmallow. S’mores, anyone?

And so…

Elizabeth and Philip set off from Australia back to the U.K. after the barbeque. It was a highly successful visit and one that the Australian people will not soon forget. Her Majesty charmed everyone she met, and though there were one or two gaffes (Gillard’s curtsey controversy and Philip’s quips!) the royal couple made a happy and favorable impression on their Commonwealth neighbors. It also gave the United Kingdom a chance to present its history-making change to the succession law.

Vivat Regina! (And God Bless The Duke!)

Discuss it here.

[N.B. Crown Prince Pavlos speaks about Greece’s economic woes.

CITIZEN PARKINSON

The divisive comments of Citizen Michael Parkinson (surely a true knight and a Commander of the British Empire) would not be so churlish as to incite the removal of the Crown within one of Her Majesty’s Realms?) are sorely misplaced at a time when all Australians are uniting behind the thousands of those who have suffered in the floods which are still affecting vast parts of Australia.

As a foreigner, Parkinson was accorded the distinct honour of addressing us on our national day. He may be a celebrity, but in this task he failed miserably. If the situation was reversed and an Australian spoke similarly on a British national day, there would be a justifiable howl of outrage, probably including from Parkinson himself. The fact that some Australians watched his programme does not give him the right to involve himself in the internal politics of a country in which he is a visitor.

In assuming that Australians want a republic (probably because this is what his café-set friends are telling him), Parkinson is ignoring the enormous groundswell of support for our system of Constitutional Monarchy as proven by the fact that more Australians are trav

elling to the United Kingdom at the time of the Royal wedding, than from any other commonwealth country.

Parkinson is reported as telling reporters: “Why should Australia not be a republic? It’s its own country, its own man …. I find it, in a sense, incomprehensible that it’s not that now.” He is obviously totally ignorant of our own democratic system of governance, If Australia was not truly independent -“its own man” – how then could the Australian people themselves – not Britain, not the Queen nor anyone else, but the people themselves – have been able in 1999 to vote upon and decide whether we would be a republic or, as occurred, remain a constitutional monarchy?

In 2009 Parkinson wrote on the tragic death of Jade Goody so cruelly describing her as “barely educated, ignorant and puerile,” adding, “When we clear the media smokescreen from around her death, what we’re left with is a woman who came to represent all that’s paltry and wretched about Britain today”.

In 2011, we say, rather more politely to Parkinson. ‘People that live in glass houses should not throw stones.’

As the Queen always so wisely comments: ‘the matter of constitution change in Australia is a matter for AUSTRALIANS alone to decide upon.’

© Australian Monarchist League

We love The Queen…perhaps a little too much.

Australia won’t hold referendum

In Quebec, the Queen is still Wolfe in sheep’s clothing

Who will wear the crown in Canada?

King Gustav IV Adolf had envisioned a home in Haga just outside Enskede, so he commissioned architect Carl Christoffer Gjörwell to build a modern palace in the style of an Italian villa. The result looked less like a palace and more like a large, sunny country home. It has been used alternately as a private home and a summer house for several members of the Swedish royal family over the years.

Haga is the birthplace of Princess Victoria’s father, King Carl XVI Gustaf. The King – Prince Carl Gustaf at the time – and his four sisters spent their childhood at this palace with their parents, Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sybilla.

Young Carl Gustaf played happily on the grounds with Princesses Margaretha, Birgitta, Désirée, and Christina and they were photographed enjoying their small playhouse in the park. The Swedish media and the public were charmed by the royal children, especially the girls, who became affectionately known as Hagasessornas, “Haga Princesses”.

The death of their father in an airplane crash in 1947 outside Copenhagen, Denmark, devastated the family. Princess Sybilla, who felt as though “the floor fell out from under my feet”, took the children to live in an apartment at The Royal Palace in 1950.

Haga, abandoned as the official home, was left empty for several years. King Gustaf VI Adolf eventually transferred its ownership to the Swedish government for use as a guest house for visiting dignitaries in 1966.

Happily, Haga reverted back to Royal property in 2009. Just after Princess Victoria’s engagement was announced in February 24th of that year, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt declared that the rights of disposal to the palace would be transferred back to the royal court as a wedding gift to Victoria and her new husband, Prince Daniel. Attempting to echo the sentiments of Winston Churchill upon the wedding of Princess Elizabeth in 1947, Reinfeldt said: “[T]he royal engagement [i]s a beacon of light in the dark times of economic crises.”

This happy, warm palace looks extremely welcoming and should be perfect for the beaming royal couple. Congratulations to Victoria and Daniel upon the return of a very precious family home.

[I]n an era of partisanship and diminished individual rights, monarchs can serve as a means of stability in a democracy that might otherwise tear itself apart. A.W. Purdue, author of the book “Long to Reign?”, argues that a king or queen “enables change to take place within a frame of continuity.”

It’s a great article, so click here to read it at the Boston Globe’s website. It’s sure to make Prince Charles very happy, as it makes a solid case for a sovereign’s intervention on their people’s behalf!

Queen Dropped from Victoria’s legal system

In a bid to place Australia closer to a Republican future, references to Her Majesty have been removed from the state of Victoria’s legal system.

This latest push for the removal of the monarchy is not an isolated incident. Victoria has also scrapped the title ‘Queen’s Counsel’ (QC) and ended the practice of new lawyers swearing an oath of allegiance to the Queen.

Rob Hulls, the state’s attorney-general and acting Labo(u)r premier, said:

“Having cases presented in the name of the Queen of England is an outdated colonial tradition that has really passed its use-by date. Substituting the director of public prosecutions for the Queen or Regina reflects the legal and political independence from the United Kingdom and its monarch that has been achieved by Australia.”

Hulls denied that the timing was intended as a snub to Prince William, due to make a visit at the end of January.

David Donovan, of the Australian Republican Movement, was more than a little annoyed with the royal system getting in the way of football loyalty.

“We would find it unbelievable that Prince William, who hasn’t been to Australia since he was in nappies – and who as president of the England Football Association has strongly promoted its bid for the 2018 World Cup, in direct opposition to Australia’s bid – would be able to speak to Australians on our own national day.”

The monarchists in this southernmost state are defending the system of monarchy at full-steam, however.

“The people in 1999 took a decision in which they affirmed that we should remain a federal commonwealth under the crown,” said Professor David Flint of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy. “It’s completely wrong for governments to remove all reference to the crown as a gradual sort of thing.”

Philip Benwell, chairman of the Australian Monarchist League, defended the invitation to the Prince.

“Prince William will be King of Australia in the future and it’s therefore appropriate that he’s invited to speak,” he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/6832692/The-Queen-dropped-from-Victorias-legal-system.html

Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the first Empress of India, until her death on January 22, 1901. Her reign lasted 63 years and 7 months, longer than any other British monarch before or since.

Her descendant, Queen Elizabeth II, is the only sovereign who may trump Victoria’s place in the history books. Her Majesty has already been declared to be the oldest living British sovereign at age 83, surpassing Queen Victoria’s 82 years and 4 months.

In 2012, Elizabeth will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee as Victoria did in 1897. Once the Queen celebrates this milestone, she has only 3 years and 7 months to go before she breaks Victoria’s record. It will be Elizabeth who is the longest lived, longest reigning UK monarch ever.

Many republicans are kicking up a stink over the Queen’s anniversary, declaring that they will not allow a public holiday to celebrate her jubilee. These Labour MPs equate it to celebrating “vermin”.

It is their right to protest, but it is also good manners and diplomacy to keep one’s mean mouth to themselves. How can we expect these Republicans to hold any power if this is how they behave? What would happen if, God forbid, one of them became Prime Minister, declaring on a personal note that a head of state was scum? Shameful.

Long live the Queen, and God save us from small-minded, embarrassing politicians.

Obama’s royal gaffe

President Barack Obama arrived in Tokyo November 13, the first stop on his four-nation tour of Asia. He met with Japan’s Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

With a deep bow and handshake, Obama greeted the Emperor. His gesture has been met with criticism. Obama should know the custom of a country like a professional businessman and behave accordingly.

Apparently improperly briefed about accepted procedure in Japan or perhaps having a time zone mind melt, Obama stuck out his hand for a shake. Which was fine. And friendly.

He then proceeded to simultaneously bow. Which was not.

And take his eyes off the person he’s greeting. Which was not.

And, worst in the eyes of many, the over-enthusiastic president of the United States bowed way down at a 45-degree angle, indicating in that culture and apparently in the eyes of many others, subservience to the emperor, son of the man who authorized the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. – LA Times

Prior to this incident, the President caused a stir during a visit to Saudi Arabia when he bowed deeply to the ground for King Abdullah.

After the Japanese visit, Obama will continue to Singapore, China and South Korea.

Good will to all men this season… or not

Labour candidate Peter White has been forced to apologize for calling the Queen a ”parasite” and ”vermin” on Facebook.

White, who is seeking election to Havering Borough Council in London next year, was summoned by officials after he compared the idea of a public holiday to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 with ”celebrating vermin”.

Apparently becoming a politician does not give this man pause in his choice of words.

Stephen Fry an oracle?

According to the Telegraph, Stephen Fry has come to be regarded as a “modern oracle” because of all of his updates to many followers on Twitter. But Stephen has put his foot in it.

The actor and longtime comedian has upset friends of the late Princess Margaret by accusing her of anti-Semitism. During a lecture at the Royal Institute of British Architects, Fry claimed that the Queen’s sister had been shocked when he told her that he had Jewish ancestors. The princess then allegedly expressed her horror by shouting to everybody else at her table: “He’s a Jew. He’s a Jew.”

Lord Glenconner, who points out that Margaret’s chum Peter Sellers was Jewish, adds of Fry: “It’s a bit unfair of him to say these things when she cannot defend herself.”

Happy birthday, Prince Charles!

The Prince of Wales turned 61 on Saturday, November 14.

Mr. Simpson offers up a summary of the excellent relations between Canada and the UK and even expresses respect and admiration for the Queen. When it’s Charles’ turn for the throne, however, Simpson says Canada will probably say farewell.

“[...]the issue is less about Charles himself, although personalities cannot be removed from public matters, as about the appropriateness and the fit of the British monarchy – and it is a British institution, no matter what its clangorous defenders say in Canada – for contemporary Canadian realities.

Our governments generally agree on world matters – climate change excepted these days. We are fighting together, as we have in the past. We share the more sensitive intelligence information, which we do with few others. The number of Canadians with family ties to Britain and vice versa is considerable and valuable. We trade with each other, talk sensibly to each other, work together. Few relations for Canada are as free and easy as with Britain. But they are British, and we are Canadians. That is not a statement of threat or disapproval or arrogance, but rather of fact.”

Will Canada truly say farewell, or will King Charles have a chance to see his face on the Loonie?