Today came news of Prince Harry’s engagement. By midnight, it made up the top three stories on ABC online. The next day, regular prime-time programming on the ABC was disrupted to show the live BBC interview. Hearing Harry describe Meghan Markle, three years older than he is, as “this girl” and “not moving in his circles” set the tone. But what really caught our attention was his statement that they intend to spend their time “running around the Commonwealth” (doing good works) as if it is their personal playpen. We can do without that patronising and colonial attitude thank you very much especially if it’s at the expense of Australian taxpayers. However, we remember what happened the last time an American divorcee darkened the halls of the British palaces so this may present another unforeseen republican opportunity. Who knows? Click on link for a view from the UK Independent [“Sorry if I don’t shed a tear for Meghan Markle having to quit her job on Suits to marry Prince Harry” by Grace Dent, Independent online, 27 November 2017]. We are also reminded that as fifth in line to the throne, Harry still needed our Head of State’s permission to marry even after the legislative changes made to the succession by the UK, to which Australia had to agree, in 2015.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
