Merry Christmas to all friends of the Monarchy

170 years ago Tonga had its first Christian king, King George Tupou I, crowned

A "March for Jesus 2015" was organised in Nuku'alofa, capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. The organising group was chaired by HM Queen Nanasipau’u, and marked 170 years since Tonga had its first Christian king, King George Tupou I, who was crowned on 4th December 1845. (30 photos of the march published by Matangi Online News)

King Tupou I (c. 1797 – 18 February 1893), as Tonga’s first Christian monarch, brought peace to the country, which had been ravaged by civil wars for years before the arrival of the Christian missionaries.

At the time, Tongans held a conviction that Tupou I surrendered Tonga to God rather than to any of the colonial powers at the time.

Almost the whole nation of 106,000 people is Christian, with Methodists as the majority denomination. Catholics form a 15 p.c. minority, nevertheless in February 2015 Pope Francis created Tongan Bishop Soane Patita Mafi a cardinal. At just 53 years of age, he became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals, as well as the first man in the history of this young Church to receive this honour. After the ceremony Pope Francis received Their Majesties King Tupou VI of Tonga and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho in an audience in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican

Pope Francis received Their Majesties King Tupou VI of Tonga and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho in an audience in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican Monday, 17th February 2015.

40 years King Juan Carlos I of Spain

On 22nd November 1975 - two days after General Franco's death - Don Juan Carlos, Prince of Spain, was proclaimed King of Spain, restoring the monarchy after a 44-year interregnum.

In 1977, he enacted political reforms that led to Spain's first democratic election since 1936.



The Spanish Constitution, which was unanimously approved by Parliament and voted by 87.8% of the citizens in a referendum held on 6th December 1978, provides in article 1 for a Parliamentary Monarchy of the classical liberal European style, with certain peculiarities to take into account the Spanish situation.

Article 1.3 reads: 'The political form of the Spanish State is that of a Parliamentary Monarchy'

Royal Condolences

Queen Elizabeth II :

“Prince Philip and I have been deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible loss of life in Paris. We send our most sincere condolences to you, the families of those who have died and the French people.”


King Philippe I of the Belgians :


“Shocked by attacks in Paris, Belgium is in solidarity with French people. Courage to the people directly affected by these heinous acts.”

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

“I am deeply shocked by the attacks last night in Paris. The Netherlands feels connected closely with France. We mourn with the people of France to the victims. With the French people, we remain steadfastly defend freedom against those who try to undermine her with terror. The values of freedom and solidarity, we never price. Our thoughts are with all those who now have intense grief at the loss of their loved ones and all the victims of these cowardly attacks.”

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

King Harald V of Norway

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

King Felipe VI. of Spain

Mr President,

In these moments of pain, want to send all the closeness, solidarity and support on behalf of the Government and the Spanish people as well as to express firm condemnation against terrorist barbarity and the cruel and inhuman injustice of those who undermine the principles and fundamental values underpinning our coexistence and our democracies.

Next to the Queen, I want to also express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and our desire for a speedy recovery of the injured. The Spaniards are today more than ever, next to the French in the determination, commitment and unity which allows to overcome challenges of terrorist violence.


Prince Albert II. of Monaco :

“Mr President.

The attacks that come from strike Paris at the heart, numb us.

My country shares the sorrow and the terror of the friendly France, bruised by these terrorist crimes.

With respect and a huge emotion, we bow before the memory of so many victims and the indescribable pain of their families.

Our thoughts are also all persons injured in their flesh by these wild acts.

On my own behalf, on behalf of my family and the people of Monaco, I want to assure you of our deep and real solidarity, in union with all those who are mobilizing against the scourge of terrorism.

Alongside of the French Republic, we know that it will not prevail.

Please accept, Mr. President of the French Republic, the assurance of my highest consideration.”


Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg :

“Mr. President,

It is with horror and consternation that not have seen images of the attacks in Paris.

The Grand Duchess and I assure you together with the people of Luxembourg to share our great compassion for the victims and their families.

We express our total solidarity in misfortune that hits the France.”


King Mohammed VI of Morocco :


“Mr. President,

I offer my most saddened condolences to you, to the innocent victims’ families and to the entire French people as well as my earnest wishes of prompt recovery to the wounded.

I would like to condemn in the strongest terms on behalf of the Moroccan people and in my own name these vile terrorist acts and express our full solidarity and support in this ordeal.”







The political French party that supports a return of the Monarchy in France Alliance Royale issued a statement:

Les attentats du 13 novembre: communiqué du délégué général
La vraie force viendra de notre courage à défendre ce que nous sommes en s’adossant à ce qui nous reste de meilleur: notre héritage. Car notre pire ennemi est notre reniement.

Shah Reza II of Iran

Thousands of Sydneysiders welcomed the royal couple

A pop star receiption for Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall spent a day in Sydney, and were welcomed to the city by thousands of well-wishers.

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla’s visits in Sydney began at the New South Wales Mounted Police, the oldest continuous Mounted Police unit in the world.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the New South Wales state mounted police headquarters.

Their Royal Highnesses watched a display of horsemanship and training for crowd control by officers from the unit before the riders came forward on their horses to meet the Royal visitors.

The Duchess of Cornwall then visited the Sydney headquarters of OzHarvest, an organisation which provides charities who feed those in need with unwanted produce from restaurants and other food outlets.

The Duchess at OzHarvest

Her Royal Highness toured the building and met Chrissy Mulyneux in the preparation kitchen who was making mouth-watering bread and butter pudding with dried apricots and raisins. Now in its 11th year of operations, OzHarvest has more than 30 vehicles on the road operating across Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle and Perth.

Meanwhile, The Prince of Wales attended the Psychological Recovery Following Community Disaster Roundtable event.The roundtable was held at the Macquarie Group Building and attendees included CEO of Macquarie Group, Nicolas Moore, Chairman of The Prince’s Charities Australia, Tony Beddison, and the Chief Executive of The Prince’s Charities Australia, Janine Kirk.

During the meeting, His Royal Highness and those in attendance discussed psychological recovery following man-made or natural disasters. The Prince also met front line responders, including serving and former military personnel, and disaster survivors.

In the afternoon, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were welcomed to Government House for a reception to celebrate the work of Australians who have made a difference to their local communities and the nation. TRH were greeted with a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony, performed by Uncle Chicka Madden, Gadigal Elder. These ceremonies are given at special occasions as a mark of respect.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Colonel-in-Chief, The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police, with members of the Corps during a visit to Victoria Barracks.

Later, The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Victoria Barracks, home of The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police. Her Royal Highness’s visit marked the Corps’ 100th anniversary, which will be celebrated next year. The Duchess has been the unit's Colonel-in-Chief since 2012. Her Royal Highness joined a reception with members of the Corps, and was invited to cut the centenary cake.

The military police serve in the army in Australia and around the globe, and over the last fifteen years have been deployed to Solomon Islands, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Head of the Corps, Brigadier Cheryl Pearce, said: "It's a real honour to have The Duchess here. When she became our Colonel-in-Chief in 2012 it was just the start of a tradition and we want to continue with her into the future. This was a chance for her to meet our soldiers and our soldiers to meet her."

The Queen of Australia meets her Governor of Victoria

The Australian tour of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall is a huge success. Today thousands of Sydneysiders waited to get a glimps or even a handshake of Prince Charles or Duchess Camilla.

Huge crowds waited in Sydney in Martin Place

Royal crowd pullers in Sydney

Meanwhile Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, received her new Governor of Victoria.

The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, the Governor of Victoria, and her husband Judge Anthony Howard, had an audience with their sovereign at Buckingham Palace.

Eminent jurist and AFL commissioner Linda Dessau became Victoria's 29th Governor on 1st July 2015. She succeeded Alex Chernov, whose tenure ended at the end of June after four years and three months. Before she swore the Oath of Allegiance Ms Dessau she was a firm believer in having an independent head of state so governments could focus on their job. Having the role of a constitutional safeguard in an independent position was also critical she said.

HM The Queen receives the Honourable Linda Dessau AM, the Governor of Victoria, and her husband Judge Anthony Howard, during an audience, at Buckingham Palace on 10th November.

"How dare this Irish expatriate bring his Irish republicanism across to this country?"

After Alan Joyce has reduced Qantas from a world wide operating airline to a regional flight service enterprise, he is set to grant his skills to the republican movement.

Philip Benwell, Chairman of the Australian Monarchist League, commented Mr. Joyce's decision in a media release that is republished below:


So the twelve million dollar ($12M) a year Irish CEO of Qantas, Alan Joyce, has joined the Republican Movement (AFR 4/11/15). He doesn’t explain why he doesn’t support our system of constitutional monarchy which provided the constitutional security and political stability to enable him to make his fortune, only that his ear was chewed off by Peter FitzSimon’s: “Fitzy just kept asking and asking, so the easiest thing for me to do was to say yes.” Worse, this millionaire of millionaires insulted monarchist Catholics and monarchists of Irish descent by excusing himself by saying: “Mind you, I'm a Catholic from the south of Ireland, so it was a pretty simple choice.”

How dare this Irish expatriate bring his Irish republicanism across to this country. As our Prime Minister has said: “It is not compulsory to live in Australia. If you find Australian values, you know, unpalatable, then there’s a big wide world out there and people have got freedom of movement.”

I have been a Qantas member for over 25 years, but no more. Unlike the elitist republicans, Alan Joyce and Peter FitzSimon’s, when I visit our branches or travel Interstate on speaking engagements, like most of us, I squeeze myself into the economy seats. Unlike these republicans, no exclusive Qantas Chairman’s Lounge or business class travel for me. And yet we are the ones who are called elitist as though it is some sort of derogatory word when referring to monarchists, but obviously never to these republicans!

I say that we should object to our Australian airline being used to support republicans, whether directly or indirectly. Please contact Qantas and demand the resignation of the Catholic Irish Republican Mr Joyce.

Even though I might miss seeing the red rag on top of Mr FitzSimon’s head in the far distant ‘pointy end’ of a Qantas plane, from now on, I will be flying Virgin in future and I suggest that monarchists do likewise. Let us vote with our feet and reject the sectarianism and republicanism of the Qantas Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Joyce can be contacted as follows:

Mr Alan Joyce
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Qantas Campus
10 Burke Road
Mascot NSW 2020
T: 02 9691 3636
F: 02 9691 3510

Yours sincerely,

Philip Benwell
National Chair
Australian Monarchist League

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall soon in New Zealand and Australia

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will tour New Zealand and Australia from 4th-15th November; visiting 12 cities and towns; seven regions of New Zealand and three Australian states and one territory in 12 days. Their Royal Highnesses will arrive into Wellington at the start of the tour and will travel to Dunedin, Nelson, Ngaruawahia, New Plymouth and Auckland in New Zealand. The Prince of Wales will also visit Westport. In Australia, The Prince and Duchess will tour Adelaide and Tanunda, Canberra, Sydney, Albany and Perth.

In New Zealand, highlights of The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's Tour will include arriving by train into historic Dunedin station, sampling the best of the country's spectacular food and wine during a visit to picturesque Nelson and being welcomed to Tūrangawaewae Marae, the home of the Kīngitanga (Māori King Movement), where Their Royal Highnesses will view a waka (canoe) armada on the Waikato River.

In Australia, the Royal couple will mark the centenary of Gallipoli by visiting the new National Anzac Centre in Albany and viewing the point from which the troop convoys departed; get a taste of regional life in the South Australian town of Tanunda and celebrate His Royal Highness's birthday with Western Australian families at a beachside barbeque in Cottesloe.

Many of the Tour's engagements reflect the themes of community, culture and conservation. For instance, The Prince and Duchess will have the opportunity to meet people in urban and rural areas across both countries and to learn how communities support one another. In Auckland, The Prince will visit Nga Rangatahi Toa ("Strong Youth") to hear how the organisation provides intensive creative arts mentoring through established artists, actors, musicians and creatives, to support young people back into work, education or training. Her Royal Highness will see a shining example of community cohesion at Oz Harvest in Sydney, a charity which collects surplus food, and redistributes it to charities which support the vulnerable.

On the theme of culture, in New Zealand, Her Royal Highness will attend a literary reception at Otago University, celebrating Dunedin's status as a UNESCO City of Literature; whilst in Australia His Royal Highness will visit the National Museum of Australia.

During Conservation Week in New Zealand, Their Royal Highnesses will learn about the work being undertaken to preserve native species at Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary. Meanwhile in Perth, His Royal Highness will hear about the efforts of the Western Australian Seed Technology Centre to preserve Western Australia's biodiversity.

In 2012 Prince Charles met sailors of the Royal Australian Navy.

The programme also reflects The Prince and Duchess's strong relationship with the military in both New Zealand and Australia. In Wellington, New Zealand, they will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial, and His Royal Highness will take part in a military exercise in Westport. Their Royal Highnesses will spend Remembrance Day in Canberra in Australia, and will attend the National Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.

In 2012 Her Royal Highness Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, inspected the Royal Guard of the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police during her visit to Victoria Barracks in Sydney.

Her Royal Highness, who is Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police, will visit Victoria Barracks in Sydney, to mark their 100th anniversary.

This is The Prince of Wales's 9th visit to New Zealand, and his 15th to Australia. It is The Duchess of Cornwall's second visit to both countries. The couple last visited New Zealand and Australia in 2012, as part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Tour.

Put the Queen back on Australian banknotes

At the moment Her Majesty's head is on a $5 banknote ...

Whilst Her Majesty is still on the old banknotes, Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Australia, has been replaced on the new five dollar tactile notes with the images of Catherine Helen Spence (1825-1910) writer and of course feminist and an unbearded Henry Parkes (1815-1896) , politician and architect of Australian Federation.

... but soon she will be replaced by a feminist and a politician.

It seems that the federal government is not only not celebrating the time when the Queen becomes our longest reigning sovereign, but has actually overseen the removal of Her Majesty from our new banknotes!

Join the Australian Monarchist League campaign to have the Queen’s image put onto the new (tactile) note. In fact, as head of state Her Majesty’s image should be on all Australian banknotes.

Please write to the Prime Minister saying how disgusted you are that he has allowed this to be done. Details are:

Hon. Tony Abbott MP
Parliament Office –
PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6277 7700 Fax: (02) 6273 4100

Electorate Office - Level 2, 17 Sydney Road, Manly, NSW, 2095
Postal address - PO Box 450, Manly, NSW, 2095
Telephone: (02) 9977 6411 Fax: (02) 9977 8715

Australia Post celebrates the birth of Princess Charlotte

HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge stamp and Royal Australian Mint coin.

Australia Post is celebrating the recent birth of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with today's release of a domestic base rate (70c) stamp that features an image of the Royal couple leaving St Mary’s Hospital Paddington with their newborn daughter.

Australia Post Managing Director and Group CEO, Ahmed Fahour said: “Australia Post is delighted to celebrate the birth of a baby girl to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with a sheetlet of stamps that captures the first public appearance of the happy family.”

“We expect the stamp will be well received as was the royal birth of Prince George stamp in 2013.”

Princess Charlotte was born on 2nd May 2015 at 8.34am BST and introduced to the world the same day on the steps of the hospital, in the arms of her proud parents. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge will be fourth in line to the throne after Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George.

The sons of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – Charles, Andrew and Edward – were born at Buckingham Palace, while Princess Anne was born at Clarence House. Today, the preferred birthing facility used by the Royal Family is the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. The baby’s father Prince William was born there, as was her uncle, Prince Harry and brother, Prince George.

A notice of the birth was attached to an ornate easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, with the media officially informed. There were royal gun salutes across London heralding the new arrival.

The Princess Charlotte stamps (at 70 p.) are for internal use in Australia. Stamp collectors abroad cannot expect to receive them, The rate for international letters from Australia is $2.75.

Princess Charlotte was christened on 5 July at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The designer of the stamp is Jo Muré of the Australia Post Design Studio. The products associated with this stamp issue are a first day cover, sheetlet pack, maxi card, two postal and numismatic covers (one featuring a Royal Australian Mint coin and one featuring a Perth Mint coin), sheetlet of 10 x 70c stamps and a booklet of 10 x 70c self- adhesive stamps.

The Birth of a Princess stamp issue is available from 25th August 2015 at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.

Princess Charlotte stamp on a maxi card, which are sold at $3.60.

Egyptians turn towards the Monarchy to show their opposition of the oppressive republic

Criticising Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is a dangerous venture in the Nile country. "His method of governance is one that sucks the life out of the democratic and pluralistic aspirations that millions of Egyptians embraced after President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation in 2011. ... Sisi has returned the country to a state comparable to the strongman days of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Nasser set the precedent for military rule and severe controls on the flow of information and knowledge, arguably the two greatest constraints on human and national development in the Arab world since 1952." (Aljazeera America).

 It seems safer to refer to the pre-1952 period as the "the beautiful era". The years of King Farouk I mean glamour, class, religious tolerance and a civilised society. That's the quintessence of an article on the BBC Trending website: Why are some Egyptians pinning away for their long-gone king?

"I'm begging King Farouk not to leave Egypt to the army," an Egyptian tweeted recently - quite an odd plea, as Egypt hasn't had a monarch for more than 60 years. But that message, and thousands like it, were shared in a sort of mass historical role play that pushed the phrase "Tweet as if you're in the 1950s" to the top of Egypt's Twitter charts.

 A Facebook fan page in his name that was set up in August 2011 has been liked more than 2.2 million times. "King Farouk was wrongly and unfairly depicted," says Amr Abu Seif, a 40-year-old Egyptian who set up the Facebook page as well as a King Farouk website, which he started in 2007 after he couldn't find any websites dedicated to the Egyptian monarchy.

Queen Narriman and King Farouk I with his son Fouad II on his lap.

Of course, there is an Egyptian king: Fouad II, son and heir of King Farouk who became king in 1952, after his father was forced to go into exile. However, the baby-king was deposed by Nasser in 1953. However, he keeps in touch with the Egyptian people and send a royal message on the occassion of Eid, the end of Ramadan. (For a rough translation you can use https://translate.google.com/)

﴿وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللهََّ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾

يتوجه فؤاد الثاني -ملك مصر السابق- وأسرته بأصدق التهاني للشعب المصري، وللشعوب العربية والإسلامية، بمناسبة حلول عيد

الفطر المبارك؛ الذي نستقبله الليلة شاكرين بعد أن منَّ اللهُ علينا وعلى أمَّتنا بإتمامِ شهرَ رمضان المعظَّم، فرحين بما آتانا الله من

نعمهِ ورحمتهِ في أهلينا ووطننا.
ويرفع فؤاد الثاني الدعاء من قلب مؤمن بالله ومحب لرسوله أن يتقبل الله صيامنا ودعاءنا، وأن يتغمدنا بعنايته ورحمته، وأن يؤلف

بين قلوبنا ويحفظ وطننا مصر من كل سوء ومكر، سبحانه نعم المولى ونعم النصير. وأن هذه المناسبة الكريمة، نستحضر فيها، بكل

تدبر واعتبار، ما يجمع شعوب أمتنا العربية والإسلامية من روابط وتاريخ، ترسخ إيماننا بوحدة مصيرها، في ظل إعلاء قيم ديننا
الحنيف، الداعية إلى الإخاء والإيثار والمحبة، والوسطية والاعتدال، والتسامح والتعايش بين مختلف الديانات والحضارات.
حفظ الله مصر وشعبها

فؤاﺍدﺩ فارﺭوﻭقﻕ

King Constantine's 75th birthday

King Constantine II of the Hellenes and his eldest grandson Prince Constantine Alexios, who is second in line to the throne.

This 2nd June not only marks the 62nd Accession Day of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, but it is also the 75th birthday of His Majesty King Constantine II of the Hellenes.

 On the occasion of his 70th birthday, the radical royalist wrote this extensive biography on the Greek King.

Celebrating Prince Philip's birthday in Melbourne

H.R.H. Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

When His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was awarded Australia’s highest honour as Knight of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2015 there was great misunderstanding in Australia about the Queen's husband.

But the "youngest" Australian knight has his supporters down under and they gather to celebrate his 94th birthday on 10th June.

Join in at 2 pm at the Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3005.

Mission to the Seafarers, Melbourne

The seafarers' building was designed by Walter Butler in 1916 and is architecturally significant as being a fine urban example of the Arts and Crafts & Spanish Mission style in Melbourne. It was also the place, where Melburnian Monarchists came together to celebrate Prince Charles' 60th birthday in 2008 and the Queen's Accession Day in 2012.

The Duke of Bragança turns 70

HRH Dom Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança

His Royal Highness Dom Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança celebrates his 70th birthday today. Born on 15th May 1945 in Berne/Switzerland, Dom Duarte and his family were banned from entering Portugal until in 1950 the National Assembly repealed the laws of exile. In 1951 Dom Duarte visited Portugal for the first time accompanied by his aunt the Infanta Filippa. In 1952 he moved to Portugal permanently with his parents and his two brothers.

From 1957 to 1959 Dom Duarte was enrolled in the Colégio Nuno Álvares in Santo Tirso in Northern Portugal. In 1960 he entered the Military College in Lisbon. He attended the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (now part of the Technical University of Lisbon) where he received a degree in agricultural sciences. Later he attended the Graduate Institute of Development Studies of the University of Geneva.

From 1968 to 1971 Dom Duarte did military service and worked as a helicopter pilot in the Portuguese Air Force in Angola. In 1972 he participated with a multi-ethnic Angolan group in the organization of an independent list of candidates to the National Assembly. This resulted in his expulsion from Angola by order of the then Portuguese Prime Minister Marcelo Caetano. He assumed the rights and duties as Head of Portugal's Royal Family on the death of his father, Dom Duarte Nuno, on 24th December 1976.

When Dom Duarte married the Portuguese noblewoman Isabel de Herédia twenty years ago on 13th May 1995 the country enjoyed the first royal wedding since the marriage of King Dom Luís in 1862. The ceremony, televised throughout Portugal and other Portuguese speaking countries including Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, was celebrated in the Monastery of Jerónimos in Lisbon and presided over by the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal António Ribeiro, and attended by the president of the republic, Mário Soares, the president of the National Assembly, the then prime minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva, who was elected president of Portugal in January 2006.

The birth of Infante Afonso, Prince of Beira, on 25th March 1996 was the first royal birth in Portugal since the birth of Dom Manuel II, Portugal’s last King, in 1889. With two more children born in 1997, Infanta Maria Francisca, and Infante Dinis, Duke of Porto, in 1999 the succession is secure and the Portuguese Royal Family florishes in the 21st century, ready to ascend to the throne.

A couple of days before his birthday, Dom Duarte answered questions of the internet platform Jornal I. Asked if he believes that Portugal could regain her Monarchy, he replied: “I believe it is possible, depending on the circumstances.” The existing Portuguese constitution does not allow a referendum of the question of the form of state. Dom Duarte considers these restrictions a limitation of democracy. His father Dom Duarte Nuno had taught his children that they should be ready to serve Portugal in whatever position. “We have to serve as military, civil or king, but we also have to be prepared for exile.”

Dom Duarte is proud to have relations to all parties from the Christian Democrats to the Communists. They invited him to official ceremonies stating that they acknowledge his social activities.

Prince Charles and Priness Anne newly appointed Commodores-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, today announced that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) have been appointed as Commodores-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. This is the first time in history that members of the Royal Family have been appointed as Commodores-in-Chief of the RCN. The announcement of the appointments coincides with the RCN’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, one of the longest, largest and most complex campaigns of the Second World War.

The appointments will see The Prince of Wales becoming Commodore-in-Chief (Fleet Atlantic) and The Princess Royal becoming Commodore-in-Chief (Fleet Pacific).

The duties associated with the appointments are ceremonial in nature. A Commodore-in-Chief is kept informed of all important activities of their affiliated unit and may engage with the unit in a ceremonial capacity as opportunity allows.

Quick Facts
Commodore-in-Chief is an honorary appointment whose purpose is to maintain a direct link between the unit and the Royal Family. It is bestowed by The Queen on various members of the Royal Family.

The Queen has appointed various members of the Royal Family as Commodores-in-Chief of the British Royal Navy since August 2006.

On 9th April 2007 a monument was re-dedicated to remember the bitter Battle of Vimy Ridge in which more than 3,500 Canadian soldiers died. The Queen of Canada and her Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper were present. Prince Philip wore the uniform of the Air Commodores-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Within the ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces, army regiments have members of the Royal Family serve as Colonels-in-Chief. The Royal Canadian Air Force also has The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh serving as Air Commodores-in-Chief – Air Reserves of Canada and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets respectively. Until today, it was only the RCN that did not share this unique relationship with the Royal Family.

The Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George) is Colonel-in-Chief to seven Canadian military regiments.

The Princess Royal (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise) is Colonel-in-Chief of seven Canadian military regiments.

Quotes
“The Royal Family has had a strong relationship with the Royal Canadian Navy since the inception of this proud institution in 1910. I am therefore delighted to welcome the appointments of The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal as the new Commodores-in-Chief of our Royal Canadian Navy. It is fitting that this honour should be bestowed on the anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, during which British and Canadian naval forces fought side by side on the high sea for freedom, peace and democracy.”

Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

Australian gifts for the new Princess

Prime Minister Tony Abbott congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge:
"The birth of a baby is a great moment for any family and Australia shares this young family's joy," Mr Abbott said in a statement on Saturday night. "We wish the young Princess a long and happy life. I am sure that the Princess and her older brother, Prince George, will in time develop a deep familiarity and love of Australia, feelings the rest of their family already share."

The Queen of Australia's Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove said they were "thrilled" by the news: "We hope Their Royal Highnesses enjoy this special time as well as the life of fond memories they will build together as a family. We look forward to seeing the whole Cambridge family in Australia sometime in the future."

On behalf of the government and the people of Australia a gift is dispatched to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark the birth of the new princess.

A cot blanket made from Tasmanian merino wool has been sourced from Launceston's renowned Waverly Woollen mills. The blanket will be embroidered with the Australian floral emblem , the wattle, by members of the ACT Embroiderer' Guild.

In honour of the birth of the Princess, the Government will also contribute $10,000 to the Healesville Sanctuary, part of Zoos Victoria, to support the important work it is doing for the Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus). Healesville Sanctuary has established specially designed cool-room facilities to support the research and the captivity breeding of the species. The Mountain Pygmy-possum is Australia's only hibernating marsupial. There are less than 2,000 left in the wild.

Less than 2,000 Mountain Pygmy-possums live in the wild. The new princess will be invited to see the Mountain Pygmy-possum herself.

Tony Abbott: "I hope one day the princess can visit Australia and hold a Mountain Pygmy-possum herself"

Australia's government under former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave Taronga Zoo's bilby preservation programme a $10,000 donation as a national gift to commemorate Prince George's birth on 22nd July 2013.

On last year’s trip to Australia Prince George met a marsupial named after him. At Taronga Zoo in Sydney, he was introduced to the bilby called George.

The bilby was in the newly-named Prince George Bilby Exhibit, officially opened by the Duke and Duchess on 20th April 2014, with a low glass screen that Prince George could peer over as he stood up, supported by his mother. The room was darkened because the animals are nocturnal.

Prince George met George the bilby in April 2014.

George, a three-and-a-half-year-old bilby, was named George two months ago to celebrate the Prince's birth.

Greater bilbies, nocturnal marsupials who hide in burrows during the day, are rabbit-like creatures with large ears that pick up sounds of insects and have long noses to sniffs out seeds and bulbs.

They were once common in Australia's grassy woodlands but have been driven to the verge of extinction by predators such as foxes and cats and competition from rabbits, all introduced to the country by European settlers.

With only 10,000 left in the wild in northern Queensland and Western Australia, a conservation campaign begun in the late 1960s has gathered pace in the last decade with chocolate Easter bilbies replacing chocolate bunnies in many Australian children's homes.

Prince Harry invited to become head of a new secessionist nation

A group of frustrated residents from Point Cook, in Melbourne's west, want to turn their fast-growing suburb into a sovereign nation.

The residents say they are sick of being ignored by governments of all levels and are ready to secede from Australia.

Local resident Tony Hooper started the push for independence and was the first to admit it was a wild idea.

According to the ABC, they have even thought of who they would like to be their head of state: "I'd talk to Prince Harry and say 'You're limited with where you're going with the Royal family, why don't you join us?'" said Mr Hooper.

Jordanian Crown Prince chaired a UN Security Council’s meeting

HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah (*28th June 1994) was the youngest person ever to chair a UN Security Council meeting. The Council's meeting discussed “maintenance of international peace and security: The role of youth in countering violent extremism and promoting peace”.

In his statement on behalf of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Jordan, he said that terrorism is a disease that no country is immune from, calling on the world community to address challenges facing youths, who are the “prime victims” of extremism.

He said that while youths are most susceptible to the present situation and its consequences, they can also have the strongest impact on the present and the future. “This has been evident in the recent events in my region. As a young man, who is part of this generation, I take part in debates about the challenges facing my generation and the need to empower youth,” he told his audience.

The Prince stressed that young people are not a marginalised, but rather a targeted group.

In his address at the session, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed and thanked Crown Prince Hussein for chairing the session, pointing out that the Crown Prince has become the youngest person ever to chair a meeting of the UN Security Council. Ban said the Prince is “not yet 21 years old, but he is already a leader in the 21st century”.

The Duke of Kent visiting Melbourne

On 14th February 2015 The Duke of Kent received the Dresden Peace Prize

Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent, paid tribute to fallen soldiers in Melbourne.

The 79-year-old Prince - who is the cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia - arrived on 21st April to honour servicemen who lay down their lives at a Shrine of Remembrance.

As part of his two night stop-over in Melbourne, the Duke visited the Abbotsford Convent Trust, and was treated to a special performance by Song Room. He also paid a visit to the Synchrotron and John Monash Science School, which published this press release two days before the Duke's arrival:

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, will visit John Monash Science School on Wednesday 22 April as part of his Australian tour in the lead-up to the 2015 ANZAC Day commemoration ceremonies.

“We are honoured that His Royal Highness will tour our school” said Peter Corkill, Principal of John Monash Science School. “His Royal Highness shares a passion for the role that science and innovation play in society in addition to supporting early engagement of students to science and science related careers. This is the core underlying mission of John Monash Science School” he explained. 

John Monash Science School offers its students the ability to pursue a traditional curriculum but with opportunities to specialise and focus on contemporary areas of science, mathematics, engineering and emerging technologies. This includes specialist science subjects such as Astrophysics, Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, university extension studies, extended research investigations and numerous science-related camps and immersion experiences both at the school and within the university. The school regularly participates in International Science and Mathematics Fairs with its partner schools in the International Science Schools Network. Its students have won several awards and high recognition for their projects, and some have even co-authored scientific papers.

While at John Monash HRH will tour the school, meet with students and be provided with a demonstration of the school’s Emerging Science Victoria program (ESV).
“ESV has been developed from earlier work by JMSS, Monash University and the Department of Education and Training to provide a virtual classroom environment. Driven by CISCO’s WebEx technology and Google Apps for Education collaborative learning platform ESV allows JMSS teachers to instruct students logged in from computers across Victoria. Our studio has multiple cameras and a green screen allowing teachers to fully utilise technology to enhance student learning opportunities” explained Mr Corkill.

The tour will also demonstrate the unique open-learning, team-based teaching environment and pedagogy employed at the school.

“In a year where we are hosting the International Student Science Fair the visit by His Royal Highness is the first of many significant events for the school over 2015. This includes the launch of Emerging Science Victoria and the Victorian Virtual Science and Engineering Fair” noted Mr Corkill.

The Duke  also spoke at a meeting of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce. His speech at the business lunch of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce can be heard here. Today he left Melbourne for Adelaide before flying on to Canberra, where he will celebrate the Anzac Day landing on 25th April.

The Duke of Kent, who 33rd in the line of succession to the Australian Crown, is a frequent guest down under. On 9th August 1969 he first arrived with his wife, Katherine Worsley, and the media then wrote: "From the minute they arrived it was clear that Australians were going to take a distinct liking to the Duke and Duchess and particularly to the elegent Duchess who charmed everyone she met. There were enthusiastic crpwds to meet them when they arrived at Fairbairn RAAF base in Canberra where they were welcomed by the Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck and Lady Hasluck and the Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Gordon."

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.

Conference: Constitutional Monarchy in the Commonwealth Realms

The conference on Constitutional Monarchy in the Commonwealth Realms in Wellington, New Zealand, 21st - 23rd May 2015 is open to politicians, government officials, and academics from the Commonwealth Realms to discuss the ways in which the monarchy operates in their nations.

Schedule
Session 1 – The Value of the Monarchy
8.40 – 9.00 Professor Ann Twomey Constitutional Matters
9.00 – 9.20 Kevin MacLeod Nationalising the Monarchy
9.20 – 9.40 Dr Jennifer Lees-Marshment Marketing the Modern Monarchy

Session 2 – Symbols of Sovereignty
10.40 – 11.00 Richard D’Apice Losing National Symbols
11.00 – 11.20 Dr Claire Boudreau The Canadian Heraldic Authority

Session 3 – Distinct Perspectives
1.00 – 1.20 Dr Cynthia Barrow-Giles The Monarchy in the Caribbean
1.20 – 1.40 Professor Jon Fraenkel The Pacific Realms
1.40 – 2.00 Jai Martinkovits Youth Perspective

Session 4 – Honours Systems
2.20 – 2.40 Dr Christopher McCreery Honours Systems
2.40 – 3.00 Professor Stephen Levine Regius Professorships in the Realms
3.00 – 3.20 Dr Karen Fox Looking Forward by Looking Back: Understanding Honours

Session 5 – The Crown’s Relationship with Others
4.10 – 4.30 Professor Janet McLean (via video) The Crown’s Settlements with Māori
4.30 – 4.50 Sir Tipene O’Regan A Māori Perspective on the Crown
4.50 – 5.10 The Cook Islands: A Realm within a Realm

7.30 Guest Speaker – Hon Michael Kirby AM CMG Conference Dinner Parliament House


Session 6 – Concurrent Workshops
9.30 –11.00 Dr Claire Boudreau Modern Heraldry Legislative Council Chamber
9.30 –11.00 Kevin MacLeod Nationalising the Monarchy Grand Hall
9.30 –11.00 Emmanuelle Sajous Honours Systems in the Realms

11.00 – 11.20 Senator Dean Smith Enhancing the Relationship Among the Realms
11.20 – 11.40 Scott Reid MP The Monarchy Going Forward
11.40 – 12.00 Simon O’Connor MP The Realms’ Claim on the Crown
12.00 – 12.20 General Discussion

Conference organisation:

Office of Simon O’Connor, Member of Parliament for Tamaki

Email: conferenceonthecrown@parliament.govt.nz
Telephone: +64 4 817 8388

60th Birthday of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxemburg.

His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri, eldest son of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, was born on 16th April 1955 in Betzdorf Castle, Luxembourg. He is the sixth sovereign of the Nassau-Weilburg dynasty after the personal union between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands ended with the death of King/Grand Duke William III in 1890.

After World War I Luxembourg did not follow the unfortunate example of the German neighbours, but retained the Monarchy. In a referendum on 28th September 1919 a vast majority voted in favour of the Monarchy. Since then the grand-ducal family has preserved its legitimacy amongst Luxembourg society because it has been able to gain its trust in the most difficult moments: the resistance movement during the Second World War, of which Grand Duchess Charlotte was a central figure, is one of the most significant examples. Her return 70 years ago on 14th April 1945 set a landmark to the liberation of the country.


In addition to Lëtzebuergesch, Grand Duke Henri speaks French, English, German and has some knowledge of Spanish. He attended secondary school in Luxembourg and France, where he successfully gained his baccalaureate in 1974. He then went on to study at Geneva University (Switzerland), graduating in political science in 1980. HRH the Grand Duke was proclaimed Honorary Doctor (Humane Letters) of the Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut (USA) and Honorary Doctor in Law of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (USA). Furthermore, he was declared Honorary Doctor in economics of the University of Khon Kaen (Thailand), Honorary Doctor in politics of the University of Trier (Germany) and the University of León (Nicaragua).

In April 2012 Lieutenants Alexander von Österreich-Este and Wenceslas von Nassau graduated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where Grad Duke Henri was the guest of honour.

In 1974, Prince Henri enrolled at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Great Britain, which awarded him his officer’s commission in 1975. Since 1989, he has been an honorary major in the United Kingdom’s Parachute Regiment. The Gand Duke commands the Luxembourg armed forces and holds the title of general.

The grand ducal couple with their children (left to right) Félix, Sébastien, Louis, Alexandra and Guillaume.

On 14th February 1981, he married Cuban-born Maria Teresa Mestre who also graduated in political science from Geneva University in 1980. Their Royal Highnesses have four sons and one daughter: Prince Guillaume (born 11th November 1981), Prince Félix (born 3rd June 1984), Prince Louis (born 3rd August 1986), Princess Alexandra (born 16th February 1991) and Prince Sébastien (born 16th April 1992).

As Honorary President of the Board of Economic Development, founded in 1977, the Prince led many trade missions throughout the world to promote the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as an investment centre. From 1980 to 1998, in his quality as Hereditary Grand Duke, he was a member of the Council of State, which enabled him to familiarise himself with the legislative machinery of the Grand Duchy.

Accession of HRH Grand Duke Henri on 7th October 2000.

On 4th March 1998, in accordance with Article 42 of the Constitution, he was appointed lieutenant representative of HRH the Grand Duke Jean. On 7th October 2000, he succeeded his father Grand Duke Jean after the latter had abdicated, thus becoming Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

The grand-duke's youngest son, HRH Prince Sébastien, also celebrates his 23rd birthday today.