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Royal Visit to Australia |
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After the 1999 Republican Referendum defeat, many Australians are delighted to welcome Queen Elizabeth II here, for a Royal Tour. Many other Australians are wondering if this country will ever stand on its own feet, and become fully independent.
On previous tours, especially in the fifties and sixties, there was much adoration, and even hysteria, as people flocked to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty. This time around, the atmosphere is quieter, as people wonder exactly what her role is.
Head of State?One question which creates a lot of conflict is whether the Queen is really our Head of State. Some monarchists say, "No, the Governor-General is effectively our Head of State."Republicans reply, "Of course she is - it's written in the constitution; and by the way - when you toss a coin, whose head is that?" There is a lot of confusion around the issue.
British Royal FamilyThe history of Royalty in Europe is long and filled by many wars. Some countries overthrew their aristocratic rulers, while others retained them.Britain, or the United Kingdom (UK), has kept its Royal Family, alongside its parliamentary democracy. Perhaps this is because the Royals, especially Queen Victoria in the nineteenth century, were such a powerful symbol of the British Empire. Nowadays, the British Royal Family is much less powerful, and their decline has become a media spectacle all around the world. Next? |
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