Death of Prince Philip

Prince Philip, consort of our Head of State and controversally awarded an Australian knighthood in 2015 before these honours were abolished, dies at Windsor Castle aged 99. This news was a jolt for republicans who suddenly realised that there was a chink in the armour of the House of Windsor as he was the first in the intimate circle of the current British Royal Family to pass on. It reminded us that our Head of State would turn 95 later in the month and that changing of the guard was imminent. We have got used to these elders being around but that is going to change – in as much as the British royal system will actually change; it won’t. Charles will assume the throne immediately as King of Australia when his mother dies.