Here are some additional photos from Prince William and Duchess Kate’s Magical, Grueling Tour. They arrived in Australia today, and you can go here to talk about the fashion (she’s wearing Roksanda Ilincic). Kate didn’t change for all of the day activities, so now there are a million photos of her in this yellow dress. Which is fine. I love that she finally wore something with a straight skirt. Now I wish someone would “lose” her eyeliner. Lord.
Anyway, as you can imagine, the Aussies are losing their minds with the arrival of Kate, Will and George. And now the Mail reports that in Australia – traditionally a hotbed of anti-monarchist and pro-republican sentiment – the royals have never been more popular. Republican sentiments (as in, people who want Australia to become a republic) haven’t been this low in decades. So Will, Kate and George are getting the credit for that as well.
As William, Kate, and George land in Sydney today, they will arrive to a country ready to open them with open arms. Support for a republic in Australia has dropped to its lowest level in three decades, with more than half of Australians in favour of keeping the royal family as heads of state. According to a Fairfax-Nielsen poll, 51 percent of Australians believed the switch to a republic was unnecessary and only 42 percent were in favour of a republic.
This is down from 58 percent in favour of a republic in 1999, when a referendum on the issue was held, and represents the lowest ebb in pro-republican sentiment in the country in 35 years.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their son Prince George, are thought to be responsible for the resurgence of support for the monarchy. Prince George was dubbed ‘Prince George the Republican Slayer’ on Australian breakfast television on Wednesday. The survey found support for the royals was at its highest among Australians aged 18-24, 60 percent of whom thought Australia should keep its royal head of state, and only 28 percent supporting a transition to a republican system of government.
However, a majority of Australian voters support Australia becoming a monarchy eventually. According to the poll, only 35 percent believed Australia should ‘never’ become a republic. Most Australians believe the nation should become a republic either ‘as soon as possible'(28 percent) or ‘after Queen Elizabeth’s reign ends’ (31 percent).
However David Morris, national director of the Australian Republican Movement, remains hopeful that one day the Australian head of state will be an Australian.
‘We shouldn’t jump to conclusions based on one poll that’s held in the middle of a media frenzy about a huge celebrity royal visit,’ he said. ‘The British royals will always be welcome in Australia… We look forward to when an Australian head of state visits Britain and receives the same welcome that the British royal family always receives; when an Australian head of state is received as an equal and not as a colonial subject.’
I recently heard a young British comedian speaking about whether the monarchy should be abolished, and his argument was A) who would they put on their money and stamps? and B) the monarchy helps define the UK and the commonwealth nations to the world. It was a pretty weak argument, quite honestly. And it makes even less sense for the commonwealth nations. Surely Australia could find something else to put on their stamps, right? I’m not trying to stir up trouble in Australia or anything, but the Aussies know that the royals will still visit even if they become a republic, right?
But sure, George is a cutie. Kate called him “podgy” too. And I’m pretty sure George is going to end up a strawberry blonde.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Wow that’s some scary b*tch face – hope it’s William she’s staring down.
Dayum, I was thinking the same thing!
Wow!
I wish she would embrace the kind of personality that goes along with that bitchface. I want her to yell “off with his head!”
Seriously, you can’t teach that death glare. I want to see her turn it onto QE2.
“…you said my dress makes me look like a what????”
(answer: banana)
I love seeing the bi*ch face photos here because NO OTHER PUBLICATION posts them! It’s all smiley, smiley cute.
Then Kaiser comes along and boom, bi*chface Kate.
I also appreciate the up close and personal view of that eyeliner. Wowza.
All that said, Duchess Kate aka brunette duchess has upped her act this tour. I’ve been surprised, actually. Clothes/hair are much better, and she’s gotten old Baldtop to act enthusiastic a few times.
I don’t understand why Britain has royals, let alone Australia. And don’t say tourism because that’s nonsense.
Why are they dressing George like a kid from the 50s?
Completely agree. I bet that if Britain became a republic, tourism wouldn’t be hurt one bit.
Waht’s the weather now in Australia? Isn’t the kid cold?
I think it’s in the 60s – decent autumn weather.
Oh yes it would hurt the tourism! The wedding between Will and Kate has brought a lot of tourism back in the UK. The Queen is awesome in her own way but these two have boosted up the popularity of the Royal Family. Many many people visited London during the wedding celebrations and i bet many of them took back to their home lots and lots of souvenirs. And now they have a Royal toddler too!
The wedding boosted tourism, fine. Harry’s will too. And then what? Another 30 years before George weds?
It’s a matter of principle. People shouldn’t be put above others simply because of the family they were born in.
I don’t get titles in general.
I agree with Eleanor.
In the 60s means what? How many degrees Celsius?
I just googled – 15 Celsius. That’s way to cold for that boy to be dressed like that. Croatian grandmothers would not approve 😀
I don’t think people consider them to be above. They’re just treated like celebrities.. I guess people are curious though. Curious about their life style, their habits, what they do, what they are so on and on,
It’s not like in the past where the king was woshipped as a god and the lives of the people depended on him. They probably know that many citizen don’t give a s-it about them but some others do, especially in the old colonies.
Help me here.
I remember reading an article on tourism number. I think it was posted here at some point too. No fluff/bias article. It stated that even at the height of W&K’s wedding extravaganza and the rest of that year still did not come anywhere near what other places with abolished royalty brought in.
Versailles and Neuschwanstein were the castles that on a slow year still bring in more than the UK did in a banner year.
Some of the math was with royals in occupied castles and palaces you only get to see a small amount and still have to pay for their upkeep and living expenses. With vacant palaces there’s more to explore raising tour prices. Only upkeep and overhead are spent. No one is getting their rent covered for a place you can’t go and visit.
It’s hard to find articles that state only the hard numbers and not listing numbers with an angle to promote something or someone.
@Elenaor, it was 22C yesterday (or 75F) Plenty warm enough for shorts.
FLORC – I think it was an opinion piece that someone posted at some point: with which I agreed. France does have marginally more impressive tourist income than the UK despite having comparable historical monuments/heritage. The argument is that without a monarchy, ALL the heritage is monetisable – eg the Louvre v Buckingham Palace. The one that doesn’t have royals living in it any more makes more cash. And these are permanent fixtures, unlike royal weddings which are temporary boosts at best.
Eleanor – I’m in Canada. It’s been between 6 and 12 celcius all week – THIS is t-shirt weather. I’ve actually brought the birkenstock sandals out, and refuse to wear wintery boots anymore.
It’s all relative to what you’re used to, I guess.
Jesus, 6 degrees Celsius is frickin cold.
But, in Croatia, grandmothers believe that children are cold and hungry AT ALL TIMES, so he would be wearing something warmer no matter what the weather was.
It’s 28 (degrees Celsius) today. I always think April is perfect weather here in Australia.
We have a very pro Monarchy Prime Minister at the moment & a bias media that prints whatever benefits this Government most.
I doubt there’ll be a real conversation about becoming a Republic until one of those things change, unfortunately.
For goodness sakes, Abbott (our PM) just brought back Knighthoods. He loves this shit!!
Sigh. It was in the 20 degree Celsius range yesterday, and it was fair out (here in Australia, when the sun is out it actually is warm). The baby’s clothing was more than fine.
It’s 24 degrees celsius in Melbourne today so, since we’re the cold southern city, I imagine that it’s at least the same if not warmer in Sydney. I’m in a sleeveless dress, so I imagine that the baby is fine.
The weather today in Sydney was 23C – a glorious Autumn day. However, the royals were in the Blue Mountains, where it’s always several degrees cooler. Baby Georgie was not with them. The temperature yesterday, when they arrived in Sydney (when the above photos were taken) was about the same, so I doubt bubby was cold.
I think the old colonies love to have the Royals becaus eit gives them history and a connection to the old continent.
I strongly disagree! As an Australian, I want us to stand on our own two feet and sever ties with the UK – and I HATE the term ‘old colonies’ (even if it wasn’t meant that way). Now that Quentin Bryce is out of the Governor-Generalship it’s time to become a republic imo.
It depends on which kind of press you read. Also most of them are blanket statements. Most articles just assume that all Australians have been waiting for these two to visit with bated breath. Not so. Though the baby is great PR.
I am glad Kate hasn’t flashed her bits in Australia so far though.
Also it has been often debated that the referendum failed last time because the question was ambiguously phrased.
Speaking as another Aussie, I don’t know anyone who actually gives a rats ass about the royals. The media frenzy over them is sickening if you ask me. I also don’t know anyone (apart from the conservative prime-minister and his supporters) who support Australia being part of the commonwealth. The ties are so superficial and meaningless now. Don’t believe the hype.
It’s part of the culture.
And bitching about the Royals is fun. If they lost that aspect it’d leave them only kvetching about the weather. Need a bit of variety when complaining!
😉
ahah! It’s so true! I have to say I like Kate more after this Down Under tour.. so I’ll try to be less evil with her from now on. Only with her though. 😀
I disagree – it’s no longer part of the culture here.
It’s a smoke screen from the real issues facing Aussies such as the economy, the environment, the latest ICAC / AWH scandal…
It’s part of British culture though and that’s what I was referring to. Although I think the BRF’s role has diminished all around no matter what country you mention.
Leave my classic baby clothes alone! They have no era! They are timeless! I NEED them! LOL
Missing the point. They are born above everyone else. They are “royalty” without having to do anything to obtain the title.
She’s not missing any points about baby clothes, and I’m right with you, GoodNames!
I know you are, bluhare, thank God for you!
I like them too, GoodNames. I think they’re sweet.
Dahling!! How dare you forget to include me!
*flounces haughtily out of room*
😉
Thank you, Erinn!
LadySlippers! Dahling! Come back! Of course you were so included it didn’t even need to be said! Please, come back! I have Valium! Hello?
*peeks around corner*
Valium with….???????
You know I never do Valium or Xanax straight, Dahling.
Hmmmmph
Oh for goodness sakes. Verve Clicquot bottles don’t open themselves, you know.
There, there! See? Wasn’t that sweet of Dame to bring the VC to chase? Perfect party in the making!
(Gosh, I hope people know we’re joking)
Of course they know we’re joking.
*hiccup*
Joking?
*staggers slightly due to the alcohol, horrible migraine, and Valium/Xanax cocktail*
Why would we jest about something so important???
*eyes cross*
And Snark, you are such a DOLL! How’d you know I like VC????
*driffs off*
LadySlippers, Dame, Goodnames, bluhare…a guy named Harry says he’s waiting at the table for you with four bottles of VC that can’t get any colder. He also asks if you “fancy smocked shorts on other ginger big boys?” I said I would pass the message.
How do I know you like VC?
*giggles into glass, is surprised it’s empty*
Are there people who do not? Really?
*sigh*
If you insist, lamby
*settles down onto the floor, caresses the carpet, sighs*
Ah…nothing like pre-war Aubusson…
*takes a deep breath, repins hair*
Liberty you are a top drawer, dreadful minx.
*fumbles with miniscule Blahnik buckles*
And I do so adore you.
*hiccup*
*instantly sober and alert*
Pray, Madame Liberté, what was that?
A Ginger Harry you say was at the bar ready to administer some aide to a damsel with a terrible migraine. Complete w/ bubbly?????
*rushes out door leaving the very married trio of: Snark, blu, and GoodNames in the dust*
😉
Well, ain’t that a …
Snark,
Priorities dear. Priorities. And dear dear GoodNames and I are slaves to our hedonistic selves. She likes her Italian pool boys and I never begrudge her that. NEVER. (She likes her Italian pool boys in the Classic Greek style — young, naked, and WELL built. Ahem).
Notice that the Ginger Smocked God cannot remove my terrible migraine. Although I hope he does try.
*sigh*
And dearie, what DID you wish to chat about? I’m afraid I can’t be away from my Ginger Cherub too too long. He’s rather…. compromised at the moment. And I don’t want to inconvenience him for a great length of time.
*drains flute and pours another*
Because William wore a similar outfit when he first visited with his parents. It’s all a callback.
I’ve never noticed, but Kate has an amazing bitchface. Did they teach that in the “how to become a royal” classes??
That’s probably what secured Australia. The threat of her BF. They just need to use it for Scotland and the monarchy can rest a bit.
Is Scotland really going to leave the monarchy? How long has Scotland desired this change? I thought this was just gossip from the DM.
No, it’s actually fairly serious, Lady D. I don’t know enough to really address it, though. Where’s Sixer when you need her?
PS: helpful definitons for understanding the constituent parts of we, the Brits:
UK – political entity – comprising England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the various little islands.
GB – geographical entity – largest island of the British Isles comprising England, Scotland and Wales.
ARGH. Comment didn’t make it. So the above one looks odd!
The Scots are having a referendum for independence from the UK over the next year. Current position from the SNP (the party who would likely govern if they vote for independence) is that the Scots would join the Commonwealth and retain the monarchy. Previous position was to have a second referendum on the monarchy if they did vote for independence but they’ve changed that now (presumably because they were behind in the polls).
Current polling is neck and neck but I think the vote will be to stay, as Westminster is likely to offer further devolution carrots.
The DM is ALL bad.
And I agree blu.
Wherefore art thou Sixer????
**ETA**
There’s Sixer. The world is all better now.
*contented sigh*
Error on my part (grrrrrr):
The DM *isn’t* all bad.
Sorry.
That does not look like a bitchface to me. That looks like a tired face. Change of time zone, god only knows what it’s done to the baby’s sleeping patterns. If she looks this wiped out now, how’s she going to look when William is King and they actually expect her to put out a consistent public relations effort?
Kate looks older than her 30 something young years. That baby is all kinds of cute and I just want to squeeze him.
+1 and 1. That bitchface photo–she looks so much older than usual! All that smoking, sunbathing, and extreme dieting finally showing an effect? I wonder how much of that difference is just lighting/expression and how much of it is her photos usually getting some touch-up. I’m about the same age as Kate and after seeing that photo I feel I’m actually aging pretty well for once. She really needs to tone down the eyeliner and maybe lay off on the bronzer a bit too (though she’s nowhere near as orange as Pippa so I guess there’s that), they just make her look more haggard.
George is ADORABLE though. I love all his grumpy little expressions!
She’s exhausted! Please, she’s with her son (who despite the nanny, still needs her attention), and they are traveling around and doing public events constantly. Give her a break.
These two, and that adorable child, will keep the monarchy going for a LONG time! Possibly the greatest P.R. ever. Queen Elizabeth must be so relieved after the Charles/Diana debacle. And I’m not blaming Diana for it.
Yes Kate looks much older than her age. I think that’s why she likes to dress like a 20-year old. The more mature clothes just age her more. I think the press is not doing as much of their usual photoshop on her released pictures from this trip so we are seeing more of an accurate picture of her.
I could say the same thing about William – take a look at his father at the same age for comparison purposes. Charles always seemed old and stodgy, but at the time of his Australia tour with Diana, he looked younger than William does now.
Kate looks much much older when she is not smiling.
George and that big wombat are great together! such a cute shot!
I think most people look older when they’re not smiling. I do, anyway.
Very cute shot of George.
I’m Australian and I have to say sorry but Australia has had 2 votes in the past asking the public whether they wanted to be a republic or not and both time we voted no for a reason. We like things the way they are. It’s nothing to do with Kate and William.
*GASP*
What?!? Surely you jest?!!!!!
😉
**ETA**
Now if the Cambridge’s would just start working on global warming — it’d make the world SO much better (now that they’ve secured Australia for the monarchy and all. Funny they weren’t that successful with Scotland).
I guess they were not succesful with Scotland because of all the beef they had since day one.
I’m not australian, but just had a lively back and forth with some friends that live there I made while a few semester abroad there. They said it doesn’t often have attention drawn to it, but many people do want there to be a republic. There was fan fair with the visit, but that will fade and the rumbles will start.
Lots of interesting tidbits on why those votes didn’t pass too. A republic is wanted, but circumstances were all wrong. Push will come to shove once Queen passes.
@ FLORC
Thank you! For people who, like yourself actually know some Australians, it’s true the sentiment is not all monarchist. With a cute baby on this tour it’s likely most of the press would be fawning over the monarchy. However I do think that once the Queen Bee’s reign is over, things will be different.
Also an aussie, and IA. A republic is not wanted, it’ll never happen.
Not wanted by whom? Most of the educated Australians I know are all for a Republic. We just know it’s not going to happen whilst the Conservative Right wingers are in power & have Murdoch Media controlling the ignorant masses for them.
Bej, you might have a better chance of achieving what you’d like to achieve if you didn’t look so far down your nose at your fellow countrymen. People aren’t ignorant simply because they don’t agree with you, and there is plenty of alternate media in Australia to present your viewpoint; it’s not like Murdoch is shutting down access to the internet.
Though I have no dog in this fight, three cheers for Kayla!
Fellow Aussie here….
I totally agree with you Bej.
Kaylen: As someone above posted, most Aussies do want a republic, but being the creatures of habit that we are, we’re satisfied to keep things as they are until QEII’s reign ends, and until we decide on the ideal model for Australia. When the referendum took place, the question put to the people was ambiguous, but people were also concerned about following the American model of a republic. The mood was that since we couldn’t decide on just what kind of republic would be best for our country, we’d maintain the status quo until we could decide on such an important matter. Australia will become a republic. Not while we have the ultra-conservative government in power, but eventually.
Listerino,
I was confused too. The polls about being a Republic took place before this visit right? Anyway I think the feels would be the same if it were the Queen or Charles visiting. Any royalty. Sounds like the Aussies are fine with the monarchy and the English think no one will visit them without the BRF even though the most popular tourist spots have no royals. The English are so insecure about their country.
Oh dearie, the English are insecure about *everything*. That’s what makes them so fascinating!
😉
I am Australian and DM has grossly exaggerated the whole republic thing. They make it sound like some hot issue that’s all over the news, it’s not. Australia is a constitutional monarchy. To become a republic we would need to have a referendum, because we would have to change our constitution. For a referendum to pass, it needs to get majority votes in every state as well as a majority of states a ‘double majority .’
We did have one referendum to become a republic in the 80’s, 90’s? Some time ago and it didn’t pass. I wouldn’t imagine that we are going to have another one anytime soon as referendums are extremely expensive to run and yeah they rarely pass out of the 50 odd in our history like 8 have passed! So yeah Kate and Williams visit isn’t ‘cementing us’ into the monarchy or something ridiculous like that.
Actually the people vote for a republic- the one half of the double majority was close to a ‘yes’. So as a population most voters are ok with a republic.
The reason it failed was mainly to do with the way the proposal was worded. That the governor-general would be replaced by a president selected by 2/3 of parliament. So the people would not be choosing a president, parliament would be. But this president would not be a US style leader. It would be still somebody like the governor-general as the head of state. The Prime minister would still have ‘most’ of the executive power. But John Howard who was prime minister at the time didn’t support it. Also referendums seldom pass in Australia. The strict rules mean only 8/44 referendums have passed.
I’m all for a republic but I think we should be able to choose who replaces the governor-general, not the government. There will probably be another referendum, but not for a while. As for the royals, don’t really care for them either way.
As an Australian, I respectfully disagree. It’s an anachronistic throwback
The reason ‘we’ voted ‘no’ was because the way both referrendums were worded. Both were put to the people by the Coalition, who are mainly Monarchists, to quieten down cries for a Republic. Therefore they were worded to elicit only a No vote.
Exactly, Bej!
+1
It wasn’t a simple yes/no vote for a republic. The wording put forward meant that you had to agree to a specific, pre-determined model of a republic that no one could vote on and no one actually wanted.
This all occurred when (ultra-conservative) John Howard was in power and the referendum was basically a set up to knock republicanism on its head. And it worked.
That eyeliner is a hate crime.
Hahaha.
Good one! +1.
Slow clap for Kate’s RBF. It even comes with a serious case of Cut Eye – brava, really.
And I love the old-fashioned clothes on that chubba wubba George. He can’t wear Gymboree like some peasanty kid, you know…
Which comedian was it? Do you know?
Frankie Boyle has the best comments about royals 😀
They have to hold onto Australia and New Zealand, because it looks like Scotland may slip away sooner. The Financial Times had an interesting piece about it this week.
I wish Kate would lose the bottom eye liner. Why oh why does she persist? And I love the classic baby clothes they put George in. He looks like a little Prince not like some wanna be rap star.
The eyeliner is thicker here than usual.
She doesn’t need to lose ti all together. She needs to smudge it to the point where it’s just a shadow. She is right in trying to frame her green eyes because it will make them more apparent and accentuated but the line must be smudged a lot. The best would be to go for a grey eyeliner and smudge it but if she insists on the black, once smydged well, it will still look way lighter. There are already eye pencils with smudging rubber on the other end in sale. I use one, it works great and is super easy to use.
Lol Ronia, you’re so sweet with your advice! Alas this stubborn woman cannot be helped!
oh pleaseeeeeeeeeeee
I’m bating my house George or no George, Australia will be the first country to become a republic and it will come really soon after Queen’s death. New Zealand and Jamaica will follow soon after.
George is adorable but on one can be that adorable to save monarchy after Queen passes away.
@old prude..don’t count on NZ becoming a Republic any time soon. I’m on the fence about it myself, but there are very strong ties with GB here, which will take a VERY long time to cut – even after QE2 passes away.
If someone suddenly declared themselves king or queen of some land and instructed everyone to bow/curtsy to them and their descendants, hand over some percentage of our income, and genuinely treat them like they had God on speed dial, we would laugh our a$$es off and ignore them. If they had an army to assert this title, we’d call them a tyrant or dictator.
And yet…
Here we are treating the British royal family as if they are somehow better than everyone else, as if somehow by being born into a certain family they DESERVE to be adored. They haven’t cured cancer, stopped world poverty, fixed global warming. They smile and shake hands, attend events, give us the odd sound bite. Sort of like beauty queens.
Hear, hear! +1.
Yes. Bow to the little tin gods.
They’re celebrities on a par with Kim K who also does nothing. I just don’t get the adoration.
They wouldn’t give us the time of day in RL. WK would look right through you. Actually, looks like they could care less about anyone Non U. Or their own country in distress.
Florc, your Australian friends may like to think that “many” want a republic, but the simple fact is the majority don’t, and never have. There was a vote for Oz to become a republic in the late 1990s (1999 I think) but obviously didn’t get up.
The issue is periodically revisited with polls and media coverage but there simply isn’t majority support for a change for the head of state. Of course this may change in the future .
I think it will be very interesting to see what happens with the Commonwealth after the Queen dies.
The Queen has already made it possible for Charles to inherit the ‘Head of Commonwealth’ position. it was sneakily done considering the commonwealth isn’t part of the realms and it’s head isn’t a hereditary position. most of the links to the original story have been removed, but here is an opinion piece before the fact:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21952895
This was the first of commonwealth leaders coming out and publicly supporting the idea that HM’s successor nee Charles should also be Head of the Commonwealth. It remains to be seen if this also means William etc further down the line.
If I remember correctly people actually did vote to become republic earlier in Australia even when Queen was alive but Ausie couldn’t decide how exactly an elected head will be picked so by default they settled for Queen. So in reality Australia has already successfully voted to not have a royal as HOS but it’s how they will elect their own wasn’t decided.
I am Australian and I think there are two separate issues here. I voted for a republic in 1999 – I don’t know one person who voted to keep the Commonwealth. But the “no” vote (those wanting to stay with the Commonwealth) had a more persuasive argument – their campaign was mainly around voting no because it was the wrong model for a republic – this won them a lot of undecided votes. The promise at the time was that it would be revisited in 10 years and that we could vote for a better republican model then. Which never happened.
That aside – we really do love a royal story. We have a Tasmanian girl who is now the Crown Princess of Denmark. We love all the sagas with the British royals. It sells magazines! So just because we love a bit of royal celebrity doesn’t mean we want to stay part of the Commonwealth.
Well said! Thanks for the info, too.
THANK YOU! Eener, you have put into words my exact thoughts. The republican models we have been presented with in the past were rubbish. I was about 12 when the last referendum took place, but I do remember being slightly horrified at the thought of John Howard becoming a president- like figure for Australia. Today, that idiot Abbott scares me more….ugh.
To be honest, I’m a bit apathetic about the Royals (and I don’t dislike them either), but I think Australians will definitely open up to the idea of a republic when we have the right model. I think one of the issues is also what kind of foundations we can re-build, or constitute our own National identity upon.
Eener,
just because we eventually one day become a republic, it dosent mean that we would want to or have to leave the Commonwealth. The Republic of South Africa, India which is also a republic are still part of the Commonwealth. I believe there are a couple of other countries as well just cant think of them at the moment. Besides its the Commonwealth games we really clean up in why would we want to leave???? 😀
The first straight skirt she wore on this tour was the red one at the memorial service which was part of a suit.
I guess they’re all de facto republics anyway, so no rush. The USA did break away (with a lot of dissenters, probably a minority actually cared to get rid of the king). So we’re stuck getting our celebrity fix from the likes of Kim Kardashian and Lindsay Lohan, plus twofers for the women unlucky enough to marry a successful politician. So when do Americans realize the President’s wife might have a life of her own instead of being “First Lady”?!?
We know our first lady as a person. Politician’s lives are pretty open.
I bet she glared at William with that SBF (Serious Bitch Face) when he told her he was going a huntin’ with Jecca and Co. instead of vacationing with her, George and the Middleton gang.
It’s the Medusa stare. In private, I bet it stops Willy dead in his tracks. And, I’m sorry, but anyone that says that’s a normal resting face is being kind. She’s cornered the mean-mug market with this latest pic and has knocked my favorite SBF royal, Regina the Evil Queen, off her throne.
There are more pics of Kate scowling on this trip than all of the rest of the pics of her combined since we first knew of her. I wonder what’s up with that?
I think the Queen is the reason. It will be interesting when the old lady dies.
My theory about the eyeliner is that it’s tattooed on (though sometimes with added layers done with the eye pencil). That said, I hope it’s not tattooed as I think she would look so much nicer without it.
I am a monarchist supporter. I don’t believe we should be a republic, for various reasons that I won’t go into, but I really think most of us don’t really give a toss about William and Kate. We are forced into seeing them on countless crap housewifely magazines, but they are definitely not a hot topic. Not even the fact that they are in Australia has caused any talk from regular people that I have heard. They are splashed all over the media, but they are still not a talking point, more something we endure.
The media goes just as crazy over a Danish royal visit as a British one, hell our media loses it’s shit over just about every celebrity that makes it down here. My friends and I were paying more attention to the Premier having to quit over a bottle of wine yesterday then to the royals.
I think part of the apathy towards becoming a republic is that it has no impact on our day to days lives, the Governor-General and the state Governors (the Queen’s representatives) are mostly ceremonial and directed by the government. The BIG exception being the ability to dismiss the government which last happened 40 years ago.
As some people mentioned getting a change to the constitution to pass a referendum is difficult, I’d rather the current focus be on getting Aboriginal people recognised in the constitution.
Ah, Barry O’Farrell. What an idiot
Lol Kate and William are not the reason we are staying a commonwealth. The royals have literally no power or nothing to do with us that most people don’t care about whether we are or not! If we become a republic there will have to be a whole overhaul and change in the political system it will be a lot more work than just saying ok we sever ties
I really don’t see the same hair colors on George that CB is seeing… LOL
First it was that George was clearly a towhead in the ‘open window’ picture with William and Kate. Towhead to me, is white-blonde hair. George looked like his hair color was the same as William’s.
There have been several mentions of possible ginger hair, and now the strawberry blonde thing… I don’t see this either.😋 In every photo I’ve seen, George’s hair color looks very similar to William’s. Even in the photo above, I think the lighting may be giving a kind of reddish tone to both George and Will’s hair… But we know William does not have red/strawberry blonde hair.😉
It will be fun to see what color hair he ends up with. At the moment, I’m guessing light brown…. But my eyes keep straining to see what others are seeing!
Ok, this is driving me a wee bit crazy. I’ve searched for more George photos and found a few where his hair has a slight ginge tint to it. For the most part it still looks a lot like William’s, but at least I don’t feel like I’m totally missing something that other people are seeing! LOL 🙂
Okay I’ve read the rest of the comments here, and as an actual Australian (not just someone who “knows some” Australians or knows people who have visited Australia), amd I want to say something.
The new Royals, whilst perhaps having some influence over the younger generations who until now haven’t had a younger Royal set to relate to, have no impact on how most of us feel about the Monarchy as a whole. Royals have visited us before, and the excitement and anticipation has always been just as palpable. The Queen and her family have long been beloved, we enjoy being within the Commonwealth and out ties to England are part of our history.
Some posters upthread claim as a whole we’re pro-republic, but that is a fairly broad and unfounded claim. Whilst a republic obviously has some support, it does not have the support of the majority. Two referendums with the verdict of keeping the Monarchy have been returned as proof. We like things as they are.
I am Australian and I take a very practical view to the whole Republic vs Monarchy issue.
The main issue is one of money. Do you know how much money it would cost this country to become a republic? So much funding would need to be allocated to review and implement this change including:
– Policies regarding key decisions / laws / practises that are influenced by the monarchy either directly or via its parliamentary representative (the Governor General),
– Endless documentation would need to be updated with said policies
– Our currency would have to be completely redesigned and reproduced with the old currency possibly even withdrawn from circulation.
– Our flag, which is extremely recognisable, would have to be redesigned upon removal of the Union Jack and this is widely considered to be one of the key objections to becoming a republic except by a very small majority who think the Aboriginal Flag (a cultural flag, not a national flag) should replace it. Can you imagine how long it would take to design this but then it would need to go through an extensive review and acceptance phase, followed by a protracted period of replacing all flags in public / government locations as well as where it appears online.
Im sure there are lots and lots of other things that would need to be changed and, as with all things beureaucratic, this would take a lot of time, effort and CASH. Cash that we as a country simply cannot spare as the funding is already being slashed in areas who need it most.
Also, one final concern (although a slightly tongue-in-cheek one) is that Australia would not longer be invited to participate in the Commonwealth Games. As a sporting nation who tends to dominate the Games, this would be a blow to our athletes.
😉
So in summary: it is less a case of not wanting to become a republic, and more case of considering that if the tangible modern day benefits of becoming a republic (if there are any benefits) dont outweight the inconvenience of changing, then why change?
Australia, as a republic, certainly would be able to participate in the Commonwealth Games.
In fact, in 2012, India (a republic) was the host nation. According to Google, 32 of the countries that competed were republics.
It would cost a lot of money but it would actually save around 300 million a year if we became a republic and they re organised the government. Australia is the most over governed country in the world and becoming a republic would be the much needed opportunity to cut the fat
Yes! Agree with all this MB. You put it into words much better than I could. 🙂
Confused about all the Aussies saying their have been 2 referenda on the republic question
There was one in 1999 (I had just turned 18 and could therefore proudly vote YES), but when was the other?
Regardless, I think it’s inevitable Aus will become a republic. W&K won’t be visiting as king & queen IMO.
Urgh, that should read – had my brain been on straight – I’d happily pay the price for a merit based system than pay for magic vaginas as the producers of heads of state.
I’ve got to ask – do the royals get a lot of press coverage in America?
In response your question, no, they don’t. The wedding was a bit of a big deal, maybe they’re on the odd tabloid, but unless they showed up for a visit, overall interest in them is non-fervent. Possibly due to lack of coverage, lack of interest, or lack of that oppressive British thumb 😉
Also, first time poster, been reading for a while. Love the comments section here! Thank you all for being so entertaining and informative.
Stuff and nonsense, right up there with William’s wanting to work with the diplomatic corps. These two influence nothing, other than maybe shopping habits.