The Commonwealth Nations and the British Monarchy News

[wannable]

They will see William and Kate next year

[Curryong]

A new poll taken in Australia shows at this point in time,  that the majority of the nation wish to retain the monarchy.

New poll suggests majority of Australians want to retain the monarchy

Several factors involved in this result. Roy Morgan polls although quite well known aren?t regarded as being particularly accurate. It?s NewsPoll that?s the biggie here.

There?s been a huge sense of sympathy for the Queen since her frailty became more obvious since last autumn. She?s always been much admired here. That has also translated in recent days to sympathy for the RF as a whole.

Several prominent republicans who are regarded as being a bit flaky immediately jumped about saying that the Queen?s death meant there should be a republic at once. Tone deaf! Especially in regard to my point above.

The figures often jump up and down on a republic here as we get a lot of British and RF news. So the Queen ill and frail garnishes sympathy. Tours of Aus by the younger royals give the same result for a while.

The republic isn?t an issue at the moment. It?s on the back burner. The Govt is concerned with aboriginal issues such as forming a representative body in Federal Parliament at the moment. There?s also been disastrous floods and the aftermath of Covid to deal with. The PM made it clear that the republic issue (which will be an expensive matter) is going to be left to Labor?s second term. So the issue isn?t in the public forefront at the moment.

However, it is bound to come, and in Charles?s reign, if he lives for the next decade. There are too many younger Aussies who feel no affiliation with the Crown at all. And Charles, in spite of some sympathy for him at the moment, is none too popular here. Especially in comparison to his mother.

[Curryong]

They will see William and Kate next year

Yes, but these tours only give a very temporary result. Polls are usually taken straight after tours and show a slight rise. The effect only lasts for weeks, a couple of months at the most and then things subside back to normal.

The big effect this time here has been the passing of a much admired monarch, the only one one whom most people here as in Britain can remember being on the throne. And sympathy spilled over into the RF as a whole. That feeling certainly isn?t going to last until this Govts second term (and barring complete disaster there will be one) and certainly not with Charles?s popularity in comparison to his mother.

[Curryong]

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/zealand-republic-debate-complicated-mori-treaty-90001731

?WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- The death of Queen Elizabeth II last week has reignited debate in New Zealand about whether it should continue recognizing Britain's monarch as its symbolic head of state or take the final step toward independence by becoming a republic.

But there remains a significant complicating factor.

While Indigenous people in many of the 14 nations outside of Britain which recognize the monarchy want to ditch it because they see it as a symbol of colonial repression, views are more mixed among Indigenous New Zealanders. Some Māori leaders favor sticking with the monarchy, at least for now.

That's because New Zealand's founding document, the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, was signed between Māori chiefs and the British crown. The treaty guaranteed Māori sovereignty over their traditional lands and fisheries, and some Māori worry those pledges could be threatened by eliminating the monarchy from New Zealand.?

[Curryong]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-62874044

What the Queen?s death has meant here.

And the Queen's death has also pushed the republican debate back to the fore here.
"I said the next time we vote on this will not be before the end of the Queen's reign. Well, the Queen's reign has ended," former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told the BBC.

Mr Turnbull is a staunch republican - but on Friday, he teared up on national broadcaster ABC while speaking about his memories of the Queen.
It was a poignant demonstration of the complicated relationship Australia has with the monarchy.

After the proclamation on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this was a time to pay respect and tributes to the life of the Queen. The bigger constitutional questions are to be tackled later.

His government, however, has previously made it clear that a referendum will be on the cards at some stage.
A week before the Queen's Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, Matt Thistlethwaite was appointed assistant minister for the republic. For the first time, a government MP had been given the official task of making the case for Australia to become a republic with an Australian head of state.
Though much remains unclear, a referendum appears likely to happen if the Albanese government wins a second term in 2024 or 2025.

[Curryong]

?Abolish the Monarchy? protest held by Aboriginal protesters on Day of Mourning public holiday for the Queen here in Australia.

iview

And in Canberra  politicians (many of them republicans) gather to pay tribute to the Queen. The GG, now back with the PM in Canberra and paying tribute at the ceremony, acknowledged that recollections of the Queen?s reign may vary, especially among Indigenous peoples.

iview

[Curryong]

?Queen Elizabeth leaves a complex legacy for Aboriginal Australians.?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-62922864?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

When Queen Elizabeth II first visited Australia in 1954, First Nations people were not counted as part of the population, and children were still being forcibly removed from their families to be assimilated into white households. In some parts of her tour, Aboriginal Australians were actively hidden from view.

[PrincessOfPeace]

On Wednesday, Canada's Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour, 266 votes to 44, of maintaining the Canadian Crown & King Charles III as head of state, by rejecting a motion introduced by separatist Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.

https://twitter.com/Canadian_Crown/status/1586714246905217024?s=20&t=iwuYe7L_2vljNKsC55TDNQ

[TLLK]

 :happycanada:  :windsor1: God Save the King. Vive  le Roi.

[Curryong]

On Wednesday, Canada's Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour, 266 votes to 44, of maintaining the Canadian Crown & King Charles III as head of state, by rejecting a motion introduced by separatist Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.

https://twitter.com/Canadian_Crown/status/1586714246905217024?s=20&t=iwuYe7L_2vljNKsC55TDNQ

That might be so, but many surveys of public enthusiasm for Charles paint a somewhat different picture, like this one taken in September.

Majority of Canadians want referendum on monarchy ties after queen?s death: poll - National | Globalnews.ca

And many polls on the monarchy taken in Canada in the last couple of decades show a population that is divided between retaining it or removing it with the young increasingly indifferent and ambivalent to the Canadian monarchy.

[PrincessOfPeace]

Message from His Majesty King Charles III of Canada on the eve of a new year:

https://twitter.com/GGCanada/status/1608862726302085121?s=20&t=VUT4w3UFith2r-ea2QV9Ug

[TLLK]

New Zealand's PM Jacinda Arden resigns.

Jacinda Ardern resigns as prime minister of New Zealand | Jacinda Ardern | The Guardian

[TLLK]

Here's an opinion article from Royal Central on the likelihood of Jamaica moving towards a republic. IMHO it's likely to happen sooner rather than later and with the support of the British Royal Family.

Is King Charles really a step closer to losing the first Realm of his reign? ? Royal Central

In mid-January, Royal Central reported that King Charles III could soon be removed as monarch in one of the Realms in which he is head of state.

Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, instructed his country?s ministers to ?move ahead with speed? on bringing about the processes that would see the country transform from constitutional monarchy to republic.

But is this likely to happen, and if so, how soon could the changes come into force?

The simple answer is ? yes ? all the signs show that Jamaica is keen to remove The King as their head of state.

This should come as no surprise. The proposals have long been at the centre of discussions, with the Prime Minister raising the issue to the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, when they visited Jamaica in March 2022.

At the time, the Prime Minister was heard saying to Prince William: ?We intend to attain, in short order, our development goals and fulfil our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country?.

Calls for Jamaica to become a republic have gained momentum over the past couple of years, with many of the country?s citizens hoping to follow in the footsteps of Barbados.

The then Prince Charles visited the Caribbean island in November 2021 when the country formally cut ties with the monarchy, becoming a republic.
The Royal Family have long adopted a policy of support toward countries who express their desires to become a republic and detach themselves from British rule.

Supporters of a republic say the monarchy is a link to the colonial past, and they deserve a leader who does not live thousands of miles away.

During his visit to Jamaica in 2022, Prince William said that the monarchy ?supports with pride and respect your decisions about your future?, which, seems to fall in line with the official stance of the institution.

It has long been known that many countries had been waiting for a change in monarch before serious consultations began about the future of the constitutional monarchy.

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III, more countries will now be considering their options.

[Curryong]

I agree with the main text of that article. Jamaica has been restless about its HOS for the last five years that I?ve been reading articles about it. Jamaica will.probably move to becoming a republic in the next twelve to eighteen months. Then other Caribbean dependencies followed by Pacific ones.

After that the larger realms. Our First Nations Parliamentary  presence here in Australia is moving along well. After that thoughts will move to a republic. And where we go NZ won?t be far behind. At this rate William will probably be left with the UK and the Channel Islands as his realms by the time he?s King, and watch out for Scotland and NI.

[TLLK]

So I presume if the scenario of a much smaller kingdom is in the future, perhaps their will be a significant name and flag change in the future for the country we know as the United Kingdom. Possibly it could be England and Wales as the remainder of the realm. Nations have shifted borders and expanded/shrunk throughout the history of humankind and will continue to do so.

Charles and William appear to me to be pragmatic about the future and realize that the current realms outside the UK are likely to become republics in their respective lifetimes and will prepare George to understand that as well. The BRF members who tour the current realms will support the decisions of the citizens of those nations when it comes to determining their futures.

[PrincessOfPeace]

"I am grateful that we have the endorsement and support of HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex @royalfamily -  He has been a strong champion for young people and will support the newly formed #Commonwealth Alliance for Quality Youth Leadership."

https://twitter.com/PScotlandCSG/status/1620114211933421569?s=20&t=lyFm6eKi0pA1d2_LEHMZkg

[TLLK]

Australia is removing the British monarch from its bank notes

Australia is removing the British monarchy from its bank notes.

The nation?s central bank said Thursday its new $5 bill would feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. But the king is still expected to appear on coins that currently bear the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The $5 bill was Australia?s only remaining bank note to still feature an image of the monarch.

The bank said the decision followed consultation with the center-left Labor Party government, which supported the change. Opponents say the move is politically motivated.

The British monarch remains Australia?s head of state, although these days that role is largely symbolic. Like many former British colonies, Australia is debating to what extent it should retain its constitutional ties to Britain.

Australia?s Reserve Bank said the new $5 bill would feature a design to replace the portrait of the queen, who died last year. The bank said the move would honor ?the culture and history of the First Australians.?

[wannable]

The official mail system in the UK, called Royal Mail/Royal Mail LTD.

HMKCIII official stamp will be on sale April 2023

[TLLK]

The Queen's Commonwealth Trust has unveiled a new website. While it's main focus is upon the young people from the Commonwealth, it does feature a focus upon the late Queen Elizabeth II's legacy.

https://twitter.com/queenscomtrust?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Our newly re-designed website is now live. Thanks to the important work of young leaders across the #Commonwealth, we have amazing stories lined up for you. Please take a moment to check it out and let us know what you think

Home | Queens Commonwealth Trust

[TLLK]

The King's Commonwealth Service theme has been announced.

https://twitter.com/Gertsroyals/status/1628932432522100743?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

The theme for this year's Commonwealth Day has been announced:

"Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future"

King Charles is expected to give a Commonwealth Day address, following in Queen Elizabeth II's tradition. Elizabeth used to pre-record her Commonwealth Day address (Audio Only) and have it play during the annual service at @Wabbey
. In her final years, she stopped doing that, and her address was simply printed in the program.

[Curryong]

Canadians uninterested in King Charles? coronation, British monarchy, survey suggests | Globalnews.ca

New polling results suggest Canadians are largely indifferent to King Charles, and more than half believe his May 6 coronation is the right time for the country to reconsider its ties with the monarchy.


The web survey of 1,544 adults released Tuesday by market research firm Leger indicates many Canadians are greeting the ascension of Charles to the throne with a shrug.

Only 12 per cent of respondents said it was good news that Charles is now King, compared to 14 per cent who said it was bad news and 67 per cent who were indifferent.

Only 13 per cent of those surveyed said they felt a personal attachment to the monarchy, compared with 81 per cent who didn?t.

[TLLK]

As expected Jamaica is moving forward with its plans to become a republic by 2025. A move that will require the island nation to rewrite its constitution.

Jamaica moving ahead with plans to dump 'foreign monarch' Charles

1

Andy Wells
Andy Wells?Freelance Writer
Thu, March 23, 2023 at 4:12 AM PDT?4 min read
In this article:

Andrew Holness
9th Prime Minister of Jamaica

    Charles, Prince of Wales
    Charles, Prince of Wales
    King of the United Kingdom since 2022

Britain's King Charles III speaks at the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London, Monday March 13, 2023. (Jordan Pettitt/Pool via AP)
Jamaica is ?moving ahead? with its plan to remove King Charles as head of state. (AP)

Jamaica is ?moving ahead? with its plans to get rid of ?foreign monarch? King Charles as its head of state, pushing the country closer to become a republic.

As the monarch looks ahead to his coronation in May, Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness insists that ?ambitious timelines? are in place to move towards the ?road to republic?.

In a video shared by Holness, Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica?s minister of legal and constitutional affairs, set out plans to ?constitutional reform work? that would ?craft a new modern constitution?.

She said: ?The goal is not simply to swap a foreign monarch ? the king of England ? for a local president. We hope to use the opportunity to facilitate a reset of the nation.?

Holness added on Twitter: ?The goal is to ultimately produce a new Constitution of Jamaica, establishing the Republic of Jamaica and affirming our self-determination and cultural heritage.?

In June last year ? three months before the Queen died ? the Jamaican government announced that they intended to pursue becoming a republic by 2025.

The plan was bolstered in January this year when Holness maintained that it was a clear priority for his leadership to move with ?speed? towards removing Charles as head of state.
King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, as he receives realm prime ministers in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace in London. Picture date: Saturday September 17, 2022. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS
King Charles met Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness following the Queen?s death last year. (Reuters)

Holness has revealed more about his plans, with a referendum believed to form the initial stages of the process.

He is quoted by the Jamaica Observer as saying: "There may be the view that it is a straightforward and simple task of just changing the name of the country from that of a constitutional monarchy to a republic ? that is not the case.

"There are many legal steps that we have to go through and there is the matter of a referendum, the outcome of which no one can predict.?

This promotional video explains the process that must occur.

https://twitter.com/AndrewHolnessJM/status/1638539946397949964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1638539946397949964%7Ctwgr%5E0d559fa2d681832624ca5ae0b3b4e6ef0ba57858%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.news.yahoo.com%2Fjamaica-plans-dump-king-charles-become-republic-111223507.html

[Curryong]

More of the Caribbean nations are likely to follow. The tiny specks left there will only receive royal visits every so often (perhaps fleeting visits every five years or so) from then on. The end of escaping the UK?s wintry blasts for a nice warm easy tour. The last tour by the Cambridges heralded what is to come.

[Curryong]

By the way, the forthcoming Coronation was discussed elsewhere yesterday, and several Aussies agreed that the level of excitement at the prospect was at indifference level here. Several, including myself (sailing (weather permitting and a family birthday) had other things on.

There will be no bank holidays here in commemoration. Victoria?s spokesman said there were enough Bank Holidays as it is, and the other States aren?t doing anything for it either. There are quite a few ex Brits here in Aus but nobody I know is doing anything special for the event. It?s the middle of footy season in VIC, SA and WA.

[TLLK]

More of the Caribbean nations are likely to follow. The tiny specks left there will only receive royal visits every so often (perhaps fleeting visits every five years or so) from then on. The end of escaping the UK?s wintry blasts for a nice warm easy tour. The last tour by the Cambridges heralded what is to come.

@Curryong-Do you have any thoughts on why these nations chose to remain as monarchies when they became independent in the 1960's? It seems to me that the natural and logical progression would have been to become a republic from the start and avoid having to now rewrite their various constitutions.