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

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?

Happy birthday and good wishes

Today is the 92nd birthday of Prince Philip and this is a way of expressing both my congratulations on his birthday and my regard for his many years of public service as Consort to the Queen, and also as a means of sending my good wishes for his recovery after surgery and for continuing good health.

Royal 65th Wedding Anniversary

Today is the sixty-fifth anniversary of the wedding of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip in 1947. It is therefore an opportunity to express loyal congratulations and good wishes to them on the occasion.

Theirs is the longest lasting marriage amongst those of British monarchs - the nearest in length is that of King George III and Queen Charlotte from 1761 until her death in 1818.

It is also a reminder in present circumstances that marriages do endure, and that traditional marriage is at the very heart of our institutions as a nation. The facts that marriages, whether of Kings or commoners, can and do endure and provide mutual support for the partners needs to be borne in mind by those who speak too easily of its decline, still more who work to undermine it, or to change it into a merely legal matter of "human rights" or personal self-fulfillment for the parties.

 

Lord High Admiral

I see from the internet that the Queen has appointed Prince Philip to the post of Lord High Admiral to mark his 90th birthday. This is not only an appropriate honour, and indeed one of the few open to Her Majesty - what do you bestow upon someone who is KG, KT, OM etc ? - but also makes historical sense.

Since 1964 the position of Lord High Admiral has been held by the Queen; prior to that it had been in commission since the tenure of the Duke of Clarence in 1827-8 before he became King William IV. In that case it had been called out of commission, and the previous holder was in 1709.

The flag of the Lord High Admiral

There is more about the history of flag here.

Such great officerships should surely be held by someone other than the Sovereign, whom they are designed to serve. If an office reverts to the Crown then it becomes dormant until it is bestowed again. In earlier centuries monarchs were often anxious to secure such positions from hereditary holders who might (and sometimes were) a challenge. Hence the Lord High Constable of England is appointed for the Coronation and holds the post until death, when it again becomes vacant.

Keeping such posts within the royal house made perfect sense then. Today it is a ceremonial honour, and very fittingly bestowed in this instance.

Prince Philip at 90

Today is the 90th birthday of Prince Philip, and an occasion to express good wishes and gratitude for his many years of support to The Queen and the monarchy.

From recent interviews he appears to take ninety, as everything else, in his stride, and to blend self-effacement as a person with an ability to speak his mind without fear or favour. Long may he continue to do so.