It is sobering to read Afua Hirsch’s commentary on the death of Prince Philip in support of her stance that “royals’ good deeds and charitable endeavours are not, in themselves, justification for the monarchy”. This article was published in Britain before Philip’s funeral but it is highly unlikely that such a pointed analysis of what the British royals stand for (increasingly questioned after Meghan Markle joined and shone a spotlight on their past) and the legacy of the British Empire, felt as keenly in Australia as elsewhere, would be published here. We should see and know more of about all of this – and our – history. [“We can mourn Prince Philip but not the monarchy” by Afua Hirsch, The Guardian online, 15 April 2021]
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
