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.

Sir Angus Houston praises Prince Philip: "I am a great admirer of the Duke of Edinburgh."

On yesterday's Australia Day it was announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, had appointed former Defence Force Chief Angus Houston a Knight of the Order of Australia. In an interview with the ABC Sir Angus tells Joe O’Brien how surprised and humbled he feels by the honour.

Sir Angus also praises the other recipient of Australia's highest honour, HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh: "I am a great admirer of the Duke of Edinburgh. I think the Duke of Edinburgh scheme is one that has probably been more successful than any other schemes in recent years in terms of  helping the development of young people. A lot of the things the Duke has been involved in for many many years demonstrate an incredible commitment by him in terms of causes that not only effect the British people, but also effect the people of the Commonwealth. And I hold him in very deep respect for the decades of service that he has given the UK and the Commonwealth."

The myth of egalitarianism runs through the media and party offices

There has been much consternation and even mirth in the media over the decision of the Federal Government to restore Knights and Dames to the Order of Australia.

The deliberate inference in the media that these are “Imperial awards” ignoring the fact these awards are for Australians and decided by Australians is crass and inexcusable.

But at its heart perhaps the commentators and media are saying no modern Australian is capable of matching the achievements in the arts, jurisprudence, science, exploration, sports etc as some great and exceptional Australians of the past.

Lord Florey
Sir John Monash
Sir Sydney Nolan
Dame Joan Sutherland
Dame Joan Hammond
Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith
Sir Robert Helpman

Perhaps they are saying that current or future Australians cannot be as talented as:

Sir Mick Jagger
Sir Paul McCartney
Dame Judy Dench
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa


At its heart the opposition to knighthoods is part of the myth of egalitarianism that runs through Australian culture. A myth that like all myths has an element of truth but in reality is ultimately just a myth. Australia is and has always been a classless society in name only.

Opposition to knighthoods is part of the longstanding republicanism within the Labor Party, born out of Irish nationalism of a century ago as much as any innate Australian republicanism.

Dame Quentin Bryce is honourable

When Tony Abbott re-established Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia, outgoing Governor-General Quentin Bryce was the first to accept the new title. Dame Quentin Bryce, self-confessed advocate of "a" republic, received another honour due to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. She had written to the Queen of Australia to correct the anomaly that government ministers and judges automatically received the title The Honourable for life, but governors-general did not. Her Majesty agreed to her Australian Prime Minister's suggestion and has now corrected it.

The retired Governor-General's will further on be addressed as The Honourable Dame Quentin - for life.

Will republicans refuse an Order of Australia because of its royal connection?

Martin Flanagan, Sports Writer for The Age, did not like Tony Abbott's enabling the creation of new Knights (AK) and Dames (AD) to the statutes of the Order of Australia. In a comment published today he calls it "a vain and empty honours system from another time and place".

But what's all the fuss about something that is so vain and empty? Why does Mr Flanagan get so upset about something he cares so little? "Respect does not come with titles – respect is earned", he writes. Right, but wasn't the Order of Australia created to show respect for achievements? Isn't the Order of Australia there to give credit to those who earn it?

If Mr Flanagan could answer 'yes' to these questions, what could be wrong in allowing men and women to add three or four letters in front of their first name as a "special recognition ... to Australians of 'extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit' in their service to Australia or to humanity at large" (Tony Abbott)?

It seems that Mr Flanagan and his fellow republicans are less intent to withhold honours from recipients, but they object any honours that are obviously connected with the crown. They certainly dislike the first sentence of Tony Abbott's announcement: "Her Majesty the Queen has amended the Letters Patent constituting the Order of Australia". They should refuse any medal of the Order of Australia since the Australian system of honours and awards was established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Queen is the Sovereign Head of the Order of Australia.

Isn't it time that all these Irish who loath the Australian Monarchy finally wake up to reality?

The British Monarchy has spoken in Irish

Republicans rejoice about new knighthoods

In their wishful thinking Australia's Republican Movement claim: PM's honours move revives republican numbers. And the Fairfax media take that for real and called it "[t]he bizarre outcome [that] was among the unintended consequences of Tuesday afternoon's surprise announcement ..."

The ARM's membership numbers must have been pretty low that such a simple move can revive their numbers. The same Fairfax article stated the hard fact:

"A ReachTEL poll of more than 2000 Australians, conducted for Fairfax Media in February, found only 39.4 per cent of the population supports a republic - the lowest level in 20 years. The poll found only 35.6 per cent of 18- to 35-year-olds support the republic."

And when it comes to "dead, buried and cremated" as Michael Shmith called the imperial honours system in today's Age, because an ALP-government abolished it in 1982, the term is also a reminder that the veteran republican Michael Shmith was revived from retirement to write on his favourite topic: abolishing the Constitutional Monarchy in Australia. He and his fellow republicans deliberately ignore the fact that the new knighthoods aren't imperial honours, but Knights and Dames of the Order of Australia.

 However, the final sentence of Mr. Shmith's disapproving article is true:

"But how interesting, how intriguing, it would have been if Dame Quentin, who has made her republican sentiments more than obvious, had simply said: 'Thanks, but no thanks.'"

But the out-going Governour-General's family has already found comfort at the idea of the Damehood, greeting the homecoming Mrs. Bryce with "Dame Dee Dee, we love you, welcome home". Her son-in-law William Shorten, the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, smiled at the scene, which The Age published without further republicanism that could spoil the picture.

Tony Abbott reintroduces knight and dame honours in Australia

Breaking news on The Age’s website: Tony Abbott reintroduces knight and dame honours for Australians

The loyal Monarchist Tony Abbotts rights the wrongs done under Bob Hawke's ALP government in 1986.

He announced on Tuesday afternoon that up to four knights or dames will be appointed in any year.

Tuesday, 25th March 2014

Prime Minister's announcement:

On my recommendation, Her Majesty the Queen has amended the Letters Patent constituting the Order of Australia.

Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia will be approved by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

There may be up to four Knights or Dames created in any year.

This special recognition may be extended to Australians of “extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit” in their service to Australia or to humanity at large.

Henceforth, the serving Governor-General will be the principal Knight or Dame in the Order of Australia.

The first new Dame will be the outgoing Governor-General.

The first new Knight will be the incoming Governor-General.

It is fitting that the Queen’s representative be so honoured.

Invariably, Governors-General have been extraordinary and pre-eminent servants of the Australian people.

My intention is that this new award will go to those who have accepted public office rather than sought it; and who can never, by virtue of the office they have held, entirely return to private life.

The Chairman of the Order of Australia Council will be consulted on any such recommendation.

This change will not affect existing Companions, Officers or Members of the Order of Australia.

I congratulate Her Excellency the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and the Governor-General Designate, General Peter Cosgrove AC MC, on this acknowledgement of their service to our country.

25th March 2014