The Queen invests Prince Philip with the Insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia

  

H.M. The Queen of Australia, H.R.H Prince Philip and H.E. Alexander Downer, High Commissioner of Australia in the UK

Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen of Australia, officially invested Prince Philip with the Insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia on 22nd April at Windsor Castle. The short investiture took place in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

It was announced on Australia Day 2015 by Prime Minister Tony Abbott that The Queen had accepted his recommendation on two new investitures of Knights of the Order of Australia, they were Prince Philip and Sir Angus Houston.

Also present at Wednesday’s investiture was Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alexander Downer, formerly Australian Foreign Minister and High Commissioner to the UK since June 2014.

Although The Queen was presenting her husband with the Insignia, the investiture was still a formal affair, taking place as a royal audience similar to the format where Her Majesty meets with the Prime Minister every week. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has said that details of the conversation between The Queen, Prince Philip and Mr Downer will not be released to public, just like any other conversations that take place at a normal investiture.

Prince Philip has been honoured for his significant contribution to Australia throughout Her Majesty The Queen’s 63 year reign and at the time of announcement, Tony Abbott also said that Prince Philip’s “long life of service and dedication should be honoured by Australia.”

Insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia

The Order of Australia was instituted by The Queen in 1975 as “an Australian society of honour for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service.” In 1983 Prime Minister Bob Hawke advised the abolition of the Knight/Dame grade of the order though in 2014, this grade was reinstated after Tony Abbott advised The Queen to reinstate this grade. Since it has been reinstated, The Queen has personally received the two dames and one knight who have been honoured.