Three Australian historians including Ann Curthoys and Lyndall Ryan survey the events of recent months including Harry and Meghan’s exit from the British royal family, the publication of Harry’s tell-all “Spare”. On Netflix and in print, they conclude that their story has been informed by history and this has implications for Australia and our attitude to a Republic as determined by the popular media. They found the Netflix series, Harry and Meghan to be guided by reputable historians covering topics such as slavery and colonialism while “Spare” they describe as “a great autobiography, a j’accuse that accumulates damning details to intensifying, almost unbearable, effect until Harry and Meghan escape. And the detail is heightened by the historical thread that links Harry with his mother Diana in his rebelliousness, his charitable works and his relationship with ‘the other'”. [“Harry, Meghan and the Republic” by Ann Curthoys, John Docker and Lyndall Ryan, Inside Story online, 7 February 2023] WfaAR note: Barbados became a republic late in 2021, not 2022 as stated in this article.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
