The Queen and the Order of Australia

Both the Special Correspondent and the BBC News website had picked up the story of H.M. The Queen investing Prince Philip with his Knighthood of the Order of Australia the other day. The illustrated BBC report can be seen at Queen presents Prince Philip with Australian knighthood.

This - typically one might add - efers to the controversy the appointment raised in Australia. I cannot see why such an award should do so - it is, after all, the norm for the Monarch or head of state and their family to hold or be awarded national honours. I wonder if the furore has more to do not only with the rather languishing (as I understand it) Australian republican tradition but also with political rivalries and kealousies arounf Tony Abbott who as Australian Prime minister make no secret of his strong support for the monarchy.

 

 

The Queen, Prince Philip and the Australain High Commissioner at Windsor Castle

 

The insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia

 

Images:twitter.com/British Monarchy/ & Press Association

The Queen's Commonwealth Orders

One of my regular correspondents - indeed he might be described as in  the old Daily Telegraph style as a Special Correspondent for this blog - sent me the link to the Royal Collection website and this gallery of the Queen’s Commonwealth Orders:

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/queenandcommonwealth/MicroSection.asp?themeid=946

The site is interactive, so simply click on the individual images of the insignia to get more information about each Order.

As my friend points out what is particularly interesting about it is that it shows the ‘crown jewels’ of some of the Queen’s other realms; namely the Sovereign’s insignia of the Antiguan Order of the Nation, the Order of Australia, the Order of Canada and the Canadian Order of Military Merit, the Order of New Zealand and the New Zealand Queen’s Service Order, and the Papua New Guinean Order of Logohu.

Prince Philip AK

The announcement today by the Australian Prime Minister, on Australia Day, that Prince Philip has been appointed as a Knight of the Order of Australia (AK), has produced a number of critical comments that indicate the nasty petty mean-mindedness of republicans down under.

Insignia of a Knight and of a Dame of the Order

Star of the Order

Images:medals.org.uk

What is worthy of remark is the fact that the Consort of the Queen of Australia has not been made a Knight of the Order hitherto - I am surprised he was not a recipient of its highest rank when it was instituted. Until today the Prince held a lesser class of the Order, unlike the Prince of Wales who has always held its highest rank.

There is more about the Order and its insignia in my post What will Dame Edna say?

What will Dame Edna say?

I saw in the Times today that Tony Abbott, the staunchly monarchist Prime Minister of Australia, has announced the reintroduction of the classes of Knight or Dame of the Order of Australia. These classes, added a year after its first foundation, were removed from the Order's ranks in 1986. The first appointments are those of the outgoing Governor General, Quentin Bryce, as a Dame, and of General Peter Cosgrove, her successor in office, as a Knight. The Governor General will act as senior Knight or Dame ex officio, as well as being Chancellor of the Order, and up to four appointments will be made each year. There is a further report, with more background and comment than the Times article, from the Guardian which can be read here.

There is an online account of the Order, first established in 1975, its structure and insignia, here. The statutes and history of the Order can be seen at Order of Australia, and the Australian Government website about the Order is here. 

 

Companion of the Order of Australia

The design of the Companion of the Order of Australia is a badge with a gold insignia of the Order in the centre.

The central insignia is circled with blue enamel edged in gold with citrines and is inscribed with the word ‘Australia’ in gold capital letters. The circle also contains two gold sprigs of mimosa.

The insignia is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in full colour.

The medal is hung from the ribbon of the Order. It is royal blue with a central band of mimosa blossoms.

Image:itsanhonour.gov.au 

The other classes of the Order - Officer and Member, and the Medal  - are similar in design.

This insignia will now be rejoined by that of Knights and Dames as appointed between 1976 and 1986:

Insignia of a Knight and of a Dame of the Order

Star of the Order

Images:medals.org.uk

Personally I think this is an excellent move, re-establishing a category to honour the most distinguished Australians in an appropriate and dignified way. Which brings me back to the title of this post - was Dame Edna self-promoted to an Imperial or an Australian honour?