Indian Raja dies at the age of 100

Prince Charles, may be the oldest Prince of Wales on record, however, he cannot beat the record of another heir apparant. In what is today the Indian state of Kerala Puthiya Kovilakathu Sree Manavedan Raja, the Zamorin of Calicut, was 90 years old, when he ascended the throne in 2003. On the occassion of his passing way the Indian daily newspaper The Hindu reported, "Kunhianiyan, as he was lovingly referred to, died on Wednesday in a hospital here, barely a week after completing 100 years on March 22". India may have a republican constition, but the numerous royal families in India still play an important role in the cultural, religious and political life of the country.

The Zamorin of Calicut with Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor (Congress Party), former UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.

"The Zamorins once ruled this port city, which had a prosperous harbour on the medieval Spice Route. Kunhali Marakkars, the admirals of the Zamorin, thwarted attempts by the Portuguese to dominate the region. But during the British period, the Zamorins were reduced to the position of landlords. But they retained their patronage of temples and mosques — and popular esteem.

"A fan of [cricket player] Sachin Tendulkar and a  Kathakali [Malayalam theatre] connossieur, an Ancient British History buff, author and an avid reader of The Hindu, Manavedan Raja was a simple man who took time to listen to all, and promoted communal harmony."

Zamorin of Calicut, P.K.S.Raja

Dr. E.K. Govinda Varma Raja wrote a biography of the Zamorin, titled The King Without A Crown, who as an officer of the Post and Telegraph Department, travelled widely, and had extended postings in the eastern parts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, when it was still the British Raj. After retirement as a Deputy General Manager with BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, an Indian state-owned telecommunications company), he spent his years travelling the world till he ascended the throne in 2003.

As Zamorin he had few powers, but he was trustee to 40 temples from Chemanchery to Palakkad. He had a permanent seat on the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple’s managing committee. His family managed the Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, where the P.K.S Raja Centenary Research Centre, built at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore (AU$ 265,000), was scheduled to be inaugurated this month.

Kerala's royal families have a very special succession law: The new rulers are always the sons of the deceased ruler's sister, never his own sons. This matrilinear line of succession is still in use to determine the Maharaja's of Travancore and Kochi. Were this succession law in place in Britain (and therefore in Australia) it would mean that Prince Charles' successor would be Princess Anne's son, Peter Philips.

The Prince of Wales in the Sultanate of Oman

The British Government has asked Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, to undertake a 9-day official visit to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, The Emirate of Qatar, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and The Sultanate of Oman between 11th to 19th March 2013.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Oman on 17th March for the final leg of their overseas tour to the Middle East, having spent the morning in Jeddah.

His Majesty The Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said Al Saidat welcomed the royal couple at the Bayt al Baraka palace in Muscat.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall witnessed a horse show and toured Nizwa Fort, which is located in the heart of Oman and dates back to the 12th Century. It is the country's most visited national monument.        

The Royal couple also paid a visit to the historic fort of Nizwa in the Governorate of  Dakhiliyah.
     

Prince Charles viewed the traditional irrigation system of the Sultanate, 'Aflaj', at the Niyabat of Birkat Al Mouz.

Greek King still on a mission for Greece

HM King Constantine II of the Hellenes has no official function in Greece anymore, however, he is still actively working for his home country.

This became obvious in a new documentary Our Queen that was broadcast last Sunday on ITV. The excellent two-hour documentary about the Queen in her Jubilee year received praise from the critics and can be watched on YouTube or in the embedded video below.

Twelve minutes ten seconds into the programme Prime Minister David Cameron appears for his weekly meeting with the Queen. The comment goes on like this:

Every Wednesday at 6 pm the sovereign receives her prime minister.

Prime Minister : There’s a lot going on this week. There’s the Euro zone crisis, the Greek elections, French elections ...

Queen Elizabeth: We were talking about the Euro zone problem. The King did ring me. He is very worried about it.

Greek republicans may not like it, but via the British Monarch the Greek King raised the issue with one of the important leaders in the EU.

On The Greek Royal Familiy's website is another indicator for the King's concern:

His Majesty King Constantine’s message on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the Liberation of the city of Ioannina 4 March 2013

Asked by journalists about Greece's social and economic crisis, HM King Constantine, stressed, that the politicians and our society can lead our country to better days, only when they act in accord, in unity.

We cannot afford further friction amongst politicians nor our society to be divided.

Citizens and the State must be in concord.

"When the people suffer, we all suffer", HM King Constantine concluded.

100 years ago: Greek King George I assassinated

King George I (Γεώργιος Αʹ, Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων, Geórgios Αʹ, Vasiléfs ton Ellínon; *24th December 1845) was elected King of the Hellenes by the Greek National Assembly on 30th March 1863.

Just as he did in Athens, the King went about Thessaloniki without any protection. While out on an afternoon walk near the White Tower on 18th March 1913, he was shot at close range in the back by Alexandros Schinas, who was said to belong to a Socialist organization and declared when arrested that he had killed the King because he refused to give him money. The King died instantly, the bullet having penetrated his heart.

The King's body was taken to Athens on the Amphitrite, escorted by a flotilla of naval vessels. The first King of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg dynasty was buried at Tatoi, a royal resort at the foot of Mount Parnitha outside Athens, which King George had bought with his own private money.

The tombs of the Greek Royal Family, lying in a pine wood by a disused chapel, have been vandalised. They include the graves of the Duke of Edinburgh's parents. In 1994 a decree by the viciously anti-royal Socialist Government of the time stripped King Constantine II of Tatoi, its contents, and his Greek citizenship. In November 2002 the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg ruled that the confiscation of the Greek Royal Family's property in their homecountry was an illegal act.

30th Anniversary of King Umberto's passing away

After the Italians elected their 630 deputies and 315 senators for the 17th Parliament of the Italian Republic on 24th/25th February 2013, Euronews commented: 

"The results of the Italian general election are threefold, political gridlock, market jitters and a slap in the face for European austerity.

"The numbers mean that the country faces stalemate in the coming weeks as former foes try to put hostilities to bed in order to govern a country in difficulty."

In a couple of weeks the term of president Napolitano will come to an end and the deputies and senators have to find a replacement of the 87-year-old former Communist deputy.

It is rather ironic that at a time, when Italy does not have a functioning government and is looking for a head of state, Italian Monarchists commemorate the late King Umberto II who died 30 years ago on 18th March 1983 in Switzerland.

Proclamation of King Umberto II on 10th May 1946 under the thundering joy of tenths of thousands of Romans at a balcony of the Quirinale Palace.

After the rigged referendum of 2nd June 1946 the Monarch left Italy to avoid a civil war and bloodshed and went into a life-long exile in Portugal, never to be allowed back to Italy, not to die there and not to be buried in his own country. His body was put to rest in the monastery Hautecombe, France. The Radical Royalist commemorated King Umberto’s accession to the Italian throne on 9th May 1946 and called it La grande tragedia d'Italia - Umberto II.

But King Umberto is not forgotten in Italy, as this graffito shows.

The politicial and economic mess Italy is in at the moment is the right time to reflect how Italy could flourish under a Constitutional Monarchy with an impartial King above the parties, above the politicians and overlook an impartial judicial system.

Never did Italy need a King more urgently than now. Viva King Umberto! Viva Italia!

Princess Lilian laid to rest in Sweden

Sweden bid fair well to Princess Lilian who died in her 98th year at her Stockholm home on Sunday, 10th March, surrounded by the royal family with a state funeral. In 2010, the Royal Court announced she was suffering from Alzheimer's and that she would not be participating in Crown Princess Victoria's wedding in June that year. Her late husband Prince Bertil, an uncle of King Carl XVI Gustaf, died in 1997.

She was born Lillian May Davies in Swansea, Wales, on 30th August 1915, the daughter of William Davies and his wife, Gladys Mary Curran. She originally spelt her name with two “l”s, but changed to Lilian when she adopted a career variously described as fashion model, ballerina and singer. In September 1940 she married the Scottish actor Ivan Craig (1912 - 1995), whose career never flourished beyond bit parts such as 2nd policeman in Murder at the Windmill in 1949 and Lord Blackheath in four episodes of Ivanhoe in 1958. He served in Africa during the WWII.

In the early 40s Lilian Davies worked at a factory in London making wirelesses for the Royal Navy, and at a hospital for wounded soldiers. In 1943, she met Prince Bertil of Sweden at the Les Ambassadeurs nightclub in London, some say at a cocktail party to mark her 28th birthday, others at a nightclub called Nuthouse; yet another version placed their meeting on the London Underground. She divorced Ivan Craig in 1945 on amicable terms, her husband having also met someone new while abroad.

During World War II Prince Bertil was stationed at the Royal Swedish embassy as a naval attaché. He was the third son of the then Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, later King Gustaf VI Adolf (1882 – 1973) and a great-grandson of Queen Victoria through his late mother, Princess Margaret of Connaught (1882 – 1920).

On 26th January 1947, Prince Bertil's eldest brother and heir presumptive Prince Gustaf Adolf (*22nd April 1906), died in a plane crash in Denmark, leaving behind a nine-month old son who was second in line to the throne and would one day inherit the throne as King Carl Gustaf (*30th April 1946).

Prince Bertil's two other brothers had already renounced their succession rights. Their father ascended the throne as King Gustaf VI Adolf in 1950 and Prince Bertil became heir presumptive and no 2 in the line to the throne. As long as his nephew, Crown Prince Carl Gustaf, was a child, Prince Bertil would have to serve as Regent of the Kingdom until his nephew coming to age.

A big responsibility was put on Prince Bertil’s shoulders and for the future of the Monarchy he followed his father’s advice and did not marry Lilian Craig. Prince Bertil and Lilian Craig had moved to Sweden in 1957, living in Villa Solbacken on Djurgården in Stockholm. She stayed in the shadows, but the couple lived together openly, if discreetly at their homes in southern France and Stockholm. They remained together until Prince Bertil’s death in January 1997.

When Prince Bertil's father died in 1973, his nephew Carl XVI Gustaf ascended the throne. King Carl Gustaf allowed Bertil and Lilian to marry, which they did on 7th December 1976, 33 years after their first meeting.

She was 61, he was 64.

Prince Bertil once said that one of his biggest regrets was that the couple had to sacrifice having children in order to protect the throne.

Hugely popular in Sweden for his romance with Lilian and known as "the prince of cars" for his love of fast vehicles, Bertil died in 1997 aged 84.

"In this life choice of hers, there must have been a lot of pain," he said, referring to how long Lilian had to wait until she was able to marry Bertil.

Princess Lilian was laid to rest next to her husband in the Haga Park royal cemetery on the outskirts of Stockholm.

Freedom of the Press, best protected by a Crown

The 2013 Reporters Without Borders (RWB) World Press Freedom Index makes interesting reading. “This year’s index is a better reflection of the attitudes and intentions of governments towards media freedom in the medium or long term."

The same three European countries that headed the index last year hold the top three positions again this year. Of the 2013 Top Ten of the countries with the greatest freedom of the press eight are Monarchies: The Kingdom of the Netherland (Rank 2), the Kingdom of Norway (3), the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (4), the Principality of Andorra (5), the Kingdom of Denmark (6), the Principality of Liechtenstein (7),the Dominion of New Zealand (8) and the Kingdom of Sweden (10). RWB: “Although many criteria are considered, ranging from legislation to violence against journalists, [monarchist] countries occupy the top of the index while dictatorial [republics] occupy the last three positions.”

Australia sits on rank 26, better than the rank 30 it occupied the year before. RWB does not explain Australia’s position, but the position in the top 30 may have something to do with the fact that the Australian media suffer from being in the hands of few media companies. News Limited (Murdoch) and Fairfax dominate the media business.

The USA turns up on rank 32, which may come as a surprise for the “great republic”. Constitutional Monarchies like Jamaica (rank 13) fare better than republics like France (rank 37).

The 14 countries with the most restricted media expression are all republics of some sort (people’s republics, democratic people’s republics or islamic republics like Iran, Yemen, Laos, China or Eritrea). The least free Monarchy on this list is the Kingdom of Bahrain on rank 165 (8 ranks better than in 2012).

Republicans never get tired of calling Monarchies “undemocratic” and they love to equate republics with democracies, but in reality nowhere is the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media in better hands than in crowned democracies.

This is a fact pointed out in the Canadian book : Freedom wears a Crown, and is a point well known to Monarchists, but ignored by republicans.

Nicola Roxon quits - The Queen carries on

This morning Nicola Roxon resigned from Cabinet as Attorney-General and will not contest her seat in the election on 14th September. If she is known for something, then it is certainly for her fierce republicanism.

In 2006 she suggested, Queen's Birthday holiday should be replaced by something more to her liking.

"As a committed republican, I find it hard to justify the time off for the Queen's Birthday. Nevertheless, I am not sure that the republican cause can survive if the cost is one less long weekend.

"Perhaps Tax Return Day? Maybe we can make the Australian "Christmas in July" official?

"Or why not Socceroos' Day?

"I am only half-joking."

Australians for Constitutional Monarchists' National Convenor, David Flint, cites another quote of Nicola Roxon:

"We reported in this column on 13 March, 2006 the brutal words of the Hon. Nicola Roxon, the federal shadow attorney general in Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition: 'There are no new monarchists being born,' she said, only months after swearing or affirming her allegiance to the Sovereign. 'If we bide our time they will all die off…'"

Nothing could be more wrong. While she resigned from her job "to spend more time with my daughter", Her Majesty has been Queen of Australia for 61 years and shows no sign of retiring.

French Royalists commemorate murdered King Louis XVI

In more than fifty cities all across France Royalists commemorated King Louis XVI of France who was murdered on 21st January 1793 by the Jacobins.

France 3, a public TV station, reported on a Catholic Mass in its news bulletin.

An heir for Germany

H.I.H. Princess Sophie of Prussia gave birth to twins on Sunday, 20th January 2013. The wife of H.I.H. Prince Georg Friedrich, head of the German Imperial and Prussian Royal Family, delivered Prince Carl Friedrich and Prince Louis Ferdinand prematurely. The birth was expected in February.

On his website Prince Georg Friedrich announced the births with "great joy and gratitude". While Carl Friedrich is a rather uncommon name combination, Louis Ferdinand is a well-known name in Germany. Prince Georg Friedrich's father (1944-1977) and grandfather (1907-1994) were both known as Prince Louis Ferdinand and another Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia was a gifted musician and composer who died at the battle of Saalfeld fighting against Napoléon Bonaparte. Unlike recent moves in other European houses, Prince Georg Friedrich and his wife have opted for more traditional names.

Princess Sophie gave birth in Bremen. The Imperial couple had left Berlin in December to return to Prince Georg Friedrich's own birthplace. He had also spent his youth in Bremen with his mother and younger sister and under the tutorship of his grandfather who nurtured him to become his successor after Prince Georg Friedrich's father died after an accident during a Bundeswehr manoeuvre, when his son was barely one year old.

Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie married in August 2011. Their wedding in Potsdam was broadcast live in Germany and could even be viewed in Australia (by the Radical Royalist and friends).

Belgian Crown Princess turns 40

HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, was born on 20 January 1973 in Uccle or Ukkel in Flemish, one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region. She is the daughter of the Count and Countess Patrick d'Udekem d'Acoz.

Princess Mathilde went to primary school in Bastogne, followed by secondary school at the Institut de la Vierge Fidèle in Brussels. From 1991 to 1994, she studied to be a speech therapist at the Institut Libre Marie Haps in Brussels, graduating magna cum laude.

Princess Mathilde unveiled the stamp that was issued to commemorate her 40th birthday.

She set up her own professional speech therapy practice in Brussels, where she worked from 1995 until the end of 1999, when she married the heir to the Belgian throne, HRH Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant. At the same time, she began studying for a master’s degree in psychology at the Catholic University of Louvain. She graduated cum laude in 2002.

The Princess has a special interest in working with vulnerable people, in particular with children. Within these areas of interest, the Fund Princess Mathilde was created in December 2000. Each year, the Fund identifies projects that aim to make a difference in helping vulnerable people. It bestows an annual Prize on the most valuable project. In addition, Princess Mathilde has given her patronage to several associations dealing with issues of concern to vulnerable people.

She also attaches prime importance to educational subjects, the empowerment of women and supports projects to fight illiteracy.

In May 2002, she was a member of the Belgian delegation at the UN Conference on Children in New York.

Princess Mathilde accompanies Prince Philippe on missions abroad that aim to enhance the image of Belgium and promote Belgian commercial and economic interests. Missions cover all continents and led them to Australia in November 2002. 

Princess Mathilde was granted the title of Princess of Belgium upon her marriage to Prince Philippe of Belgium on 4th December 1999. The wedding at the Saint-Michel et Gudule Cathedrale was the biggest media event in Belgium since the death and succeeding funeral of HM King Baudouin of the Belgians in 1993.

On 25th October 2001, Princess Mathilde gave birth to a daughter, Princess Elisabeth, the heiress presumptive of Belgium, on 20th August 2003 to a son, Prince Gabriel, and on 4th October 2005 to a second son, Prince Emmanuel and on 16th April 2008 to a second daughter, Princess Eléonore.

Opinion polls show that Princess Mathilde figures among the ten most popular Belgians with no. 1 position taken by her father-in-law, HM King Albert II of the Belgians.

The Queen’s 2012 Christmas Message in Australia

"This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family.

"It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.

"Prince Philip and I were joined by our family on the River Thames as we paid tribute to those who have shaped the United Kingdom's past and future as a maritime nation, and welcomed a wonderful array of craft, large and small, from across the Commonwealth.

"On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements.

"That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service.

"As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.

"We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted.

"For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love.

"And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories. That's why it's important at this time of year to reach out beyond our familiar relationships to think of those who are on their own.

"At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.

"This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.

"It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.

"The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. The carol gives the answer 'Yet what I can I give him - give my heart'.

"I wish you all a very happy Christmas."



The Queen’s Christmas message was broadcast in Australia on Tuesday 25th December as follows:

NEW SOUTH WALES & VICTORIA:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 8.24 pm - 8.31 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


NORTHERN TERRITORY:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 6.54 pm - 7.01 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


QUEENSLAND:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 7.24 pm - 7.31 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 7.54 pm - 8.01 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


TASMANIA:

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

ABC NEWS 24 - 8.24 pm - 8.31 pm

WIN - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am


WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

ABC NEWS 24 - 5.24 pm - 5.31 pm

7TWO - 5.45 pm - 5.59 pm

ABC - 6.52 pm - 6.59 pm

CHANNEL NINE - 11.55 pm - 12.04 am

In the UK The Queen's Christmas message is to be screened in 3D and HD for the first time. The traditional broadcast will go hi-tech to allow viewers to scrutinise the Queen as never before in her Diamond Jubilee year.

However, viewers will also be able to see the 86-year-old monarch in normal definition during the speech, which will be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.

The Queen has watched her 3D Christmas message, produced this year by Sky News, and enjoyed the experience.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the monarch thought the broadcast was 'absolutely lovely'. She added: 'We wanted to do something a bit different and special in this Jubilee year, so doing it for the first time in 3D seemed a good thing, technology wise, to do. The Queen absolutely agreed straight away there was no need for convincing at all, she was absolutely ready to embrace something new in this year.'

"How do you know I'm not a radio station?"

The Prince of Wales was asked by an ITV crew about the news that the Duchess was discharged from the King Edward VII Hospital, having spent three nights there being treated for severe pregnancy sickness. Making a reference to the hoax call to the Duchess's hospital, when an Australian DJ pretended to be him, Prince Charles joked: "How do you know I'm not a radio station? I'm thrilled, marvellous. It's a very nice thought to become a grandfather in my old age, if I can say so." The comment was caught on camera and can be watched:


The Australian radio station that made a prank call to the hospital where the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was staying had previously caused controversy by forcing a girl to admit she had been raped. (For details see The Daily Telegraph.)

Australia’s media watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) carried out an investigation and found the comments were deeply derogatory and offensive and amounted to a breach of the radio code of practice.

The prank was labelled "childish and embarrassing" by almost two-thirds of Australians in an online poll.

The AML issued a statement concerning the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha:

The stress caused by the prank calls of 2DayFM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who telephoned the King Edward VII Hospital posing as the Queen and Prince Charles in an endeavour to actually speak with The Duchess of Cambridge, seems to have resulted in the death, possibly by suicide, of Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who was obviously terribly upset by the deception played on her. It is now no longer a 'prank' but a tragedy.

The Australian Monarchist League condemns any person whether in the media or otherwise making phone calls falsely pretending to be someone else, whether the person imitated is The Queen or Mrs Bloggs down the road.

League officials had personally encountered these sorts of hoax calls during the republican debate. It seems that radio presenters think that any monarchist or royal is fair game, regardless of the outcome.

We had already written to the Chief of Staff of the 2DayFM Studios requesting that this practice be banned.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms Saldanha and also to The Duchess of Cambridge who must, herself, be so obviously upset at the tragic outcome of this deception.

Philip Benwell

National Chair

Australian Monarchist League

Prince Charles' green credentials reinforced

HRH The Prince of Wales has opened the UK's first commercial scale food waste to biogas anaerobic digestion (AD) facility to inject renewable gas directly into the grid in Dorset.

The facility is owned and operated by J V Energen, a joint venture between local farmers and the Duchy of Cornwall, set up to provide a renewable energy solution for the Duchy's development at Rainbarrow Farm, Poundbury.

Founded in 1337 the Duchy of Cornwall is a crown body principally responsible for managing the land and properties of the eldest son of the reigning monarch - currently Prince Charles.

The plant has already been generating electricity since April 2012, and according to the Duchy over the course of a year will export enough electricity for approximately 500 homes. At maximum capacity it is expected that the plant will provide enough gas for 56,000 new-build homes in the summer and 4000 in the winter.

To clean up the biogas produced by the AD plant and inject the resulting biomethane directly into the gas network, J V Energen contracted Scotia Gas Networks - which runs Southern Gas Networks and is responsible for the local gas distribution network.

Fit for a Prince
The Prince, who takes a keen interest in renewable energy, has been consulted at every stage of the project. His Royal Highness was taken on a tour of the plant, met the people behind the project and also unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

Addressing guests at the opening ceremony, he said: "As far as I am concerned it is a very exciting and encouraging day. I have been badgering the Duchy and others over the years to find a way of kick-starting the anaerobic digestion sector in this country.

"As we have quite a lot of people here from the Continent, you may well realise that in the Netherlands and Germany they are much further ahead on this front.

"I am particularly pleased and proud that we have been able today to launch this remarkable engineering feat of the first gas-to-grid operation."

The Duchy explained that it started looking at sustainable energy solutions for Poundbury in 2008 and work began work on the AD plant in June 2011.

The project was undertaken in two phases. Phase one was the development of the digester to generate electricity with technology supplied by German company Agraferm. This phase of the plant was completed in February 2012 and electrical generation began at the end of March.

The facility will use approximately 41,000 tonnes of food waste, maize and grass silage each year, which will be sourced from local farms and businesses, including Dorset Cereals and the House of Dorchester Chocolate Factory.

The Duchy claimed that in addition to providing an environmentally friendly waste disposal option and reducing levels of waste being sent to landfill, the plant produces a net carbon saving of around 4435 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions a year.

Well connected

According to Scotia Gas Networks chief executive officer, John Morea, connecting distributed sources of renewable gas to the company's network is key part of its strategy, and central to decarbonising the UK's heat supplies.

"The UK's first successful commercial-scale gas-to-grid plant is an exciting development, demonstrating the ability of the AD industry to deliver large volumes of green gas into the grid for use today," commented Charlotte Morton, chief executive of the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA).

According to Morton AD has the potential to generate £2 to 3 billion worth of green gas - equivalent to more than 10% of the UK's domestic gas demand - and support 35,000 jobs.

"The Poundbury plant demonstrates that biomethane to grid technology works at commercial scale now. With ten more plants scheduled to come online in the next 12 months, biomethane from AD should be recognised as the serious commercial energy proposition that it is," she added.

David Smith, chief executive of Energy Networks Association, representing the UK electricity and gas transmissions and distribution networks said that the facility represents a positive step towards greater use of green gas. "ENA, Scotia Gas Networks and the rest of our members support the use of biomethane injection but it is essential that barriers faced in many projects like Poundbury across the country are removed," explained Smith.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch dead at 103

In a press release The Australian Monarchist League paid homage to Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, who died peacefully at the garden estate home in Langwarrin in Melbourne's outer southeast:

DAME ELISABETH - NOT JUST A BENEFACTOR BUT A GREAT MONARCHIST

Australia has lost not merely a great benefactor but what one really may genuinely consider to be one of our greatest treasurers.

Dame Elisabeth could easily have led a life of luxury and idleness, but she dedicated her entire existence to helping others. Did she not she herself say: "If you have money, it's easy to give it away." Something that really is not all that common amongst the seriously wealthy.

She was also a great monarchist and even though at the time she was in her nineties, she vigorously spoke out against constitutional change. She encouraged the Australian Monarchist League in its endeavours and I always felt greatly privileged to receive the notes she sent to me.

Most official accolades go to celebrities and politicians, but if anyone deserves the highest tribute of all, it is to this dear lady whose smile lit up the lives of all those who came into contact with her.

We send our sincere condolences to her family. She will remain always in our hearts.

Philip Benwell

National Chair

Australian Monarchist League

Dame Elisabeth was married to pioneering Australian journalist Sir Keith Murdoch in 1928 and they had four children - Helen, media baron Rupert, Anne and Janet.

Her community work saw the Queen make her a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1963.

The world rejoices at news of Royal baby

The news that TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby was big news throughout the Commonwealth.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the news "is going to bring joy to many around the world" and wished the Duchess a swift recovery from the morning sickness that triggered official confirmation of the royal pregnancy.

"Clearly it is a time of joy and it can also be a time of challenge," Ms Gillard told reporters. "I'm sure many will be thinking of Kate when she deals with morning sickness and is in hospital. But from the Australian people to Prince William and Kate, delightful news and our congratulations."

The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Australian Opposition, Tony Abbott tweeted: "A royal baby is on the way! Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge."

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key said the news was "fabulous" for the young couple and would make the Queen of New Zealand and Prince Philip extremely pleased. "It is an important day in any young couple's life when a baby is expected and I know that Catherine and William will be as nervous and excited as anyone," he said in a statement.

"We wish them both the very best and hope Catherine's stay in hospital is a short one. On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I congratulate them both."

Meanwhile Australian republicans found back to their usual hatred and used The Age to call for the return of a mass murderer:

LET the bowing, boot licking and forelock tugging begin. Proud, independent nation - don't make me laugh. Bring back Cromwell.

Richard Morris, Frankston South

On the other hand Murdoch's Melbourne tabloid newspaper Herald Sun admitted:

Republican sentiment in Australia waned after the referendum in 1999 that saw Australians decide to retain the monarchy.

The popularity of the monarchy is likely to continue with Prince William to succeed Prince Charles.

A son or daughter to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will take the monarchy safely towards the end of this century, although not necessarily in Australia.

Australian Monarchists will make sure that the last half sentence will remain Murdoch's wishful thinking.

Prince Philippe's successful visit to New Zealand

HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium, Duke of Brabant, has arrived in New Zealand where he was received by The Right Honourable John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand. His Royal Highness leads the Belgian Economic Mission of 147 businessmen and women, representing 91 companies. The delegation came from Australia, where they held talks in Perth, Port Hedland, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

HRH Prince Philippe was Guest of Honour at a dinner at Government House hosted by HE Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand.

HRH Prince Philippe visited the Te Papa Tongarewa-Museum of New Zealand on 28th November.At the Museum the heir to the Belgian throne was welcomed with a Maori Ceremony of Welcome by Mr. Michael Houilihan, Chief Executive Te Papa Tongarewa and and was given a tour of Te Papa.

At the Auckland War Memorial Museum HRH Prince Philippe and the official delegation were welcome by Mr Roy Clare, Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Ms Gail Romano, War Memorial Manager.

As a side note, HRH Prince Philippe left Auckland on a Qantas flight (QF 136) to Melbourne, where he boarded another Qantas flight (QF 9) to London Heathrow with stopover in Singapore.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's 65th wedding anniversary

After the Diamond Jubilee, marking Her Majesty's 60 years of reign as Queen of Australia, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh can celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today, but the royal couple have no plans for a major celebration.

The wedding on 20th November 1947 was one of the first joyful events after the horrors of WW II.

The Queen and the Duke will spend a quiet day together before carrying on with their duties for the rest of the week, including a joint visit to Bristol on Thursday and official engagements for the Duke tomorrow and on Friday.

It is a landmark which no other British monarch has achieved, and one which may never be surpassed.

During a luncheon to celebrate their golden wedding in 1997, the Queen paid a rare but heartfelt tribute to her husband, who holds the record of being the longest-serving consort in British history. She said: “He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I and his whole family, in this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.”

2007: The Royal Family gathered for the Diamond Wedding anniversary.

It does not come as a surprise that the Blue Sapphire  Wedding anniversary of the Queen of Australia and the Duke of Edinburgh was widely ignored by Melbourne's newspapers. While Murdoch's Herald Sun published not a single hint on the anniversary of our Monarch, The Age published one line on page 16: "Britain's future queen, Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten at London's Westminster Abbey." A couple of German daily newspapers published the news on the front page, as an example here the cover of the Rhein-Zeitung (Koblenz/Mainz). See also the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Eiserne Hochzeit im britischen Königshaus.



Belgium's Prince Philippe arrives in WA

WAtoday, published by Fairfax media, has noticed that the heir to the Belgian throne as touched down in Western Australia: Belgium's Prince Philippe arrives in WA: "Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium has touched down in Perth ..."

Economic Mission led by HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium in Australia and New Zealand

The heir to the Australian throne has barely left and now another heir to a crown is to arrive in Australia: HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium is to visit Australia and New Zealand from 18th to 30th November.

His Royal Highness leads the Belgian Economic Mission of 147 businessmen and women, representing 91 companies. Compared to the last mission to Australia and New Zealand in 2002, an impressive increase of 250% has been noted in terms of business participants and 62.5% with regards to participating companies. Together with 31 official delegates and 6 journalists, the delegation counts up to 184 members in total.

This royal visit will attract far less attention than the tour of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The Duke of Brabant - the Belgian heir's official title - will meet with Australian business people and politicians only. There will be hardly any opportunity for the public to see the Belgian Prince. After he arrives in Perth on 18th November the public may get a glimpse of him in Kings Park that afternoon  (3 to 4 pm). He will be received by HE Malcolm James McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of Western Australia and WA's Premier Colin James Barnett MLA, but the media may well miss a photo opportunity because they wouldn't be able to recognise Prince Philippe.

The same fate may lie ahead for him in Sydney, where Prince Philippe and the Belgian Economic Mission are expected on 21st November in Sydney. In this city he has to brace for the rather anti-monarchist media who deal with royal guests only after they left and the media can complain about costs. Australian media rarely see the chance a royal visitor could mean for boosting the circulation or TV ratings. His Royal Highness and the Belgian Economic Mission will attend a reception hosted by the Honourable Barry O’Farrell MP, Premier of New South Wales, and visit the Sydney Opera House .

But establishing business relations between Belgian CEOs and Australian companies is not the only aim of Prince Philippe's tour down under. On 23rd November after meeting the Governor-General in Canberra the Duke of Brabant will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial followed by a round table on the Commemoration of World War I with the Australian Minister for Veterans' Affairs and for Defence, the Honourable Warren Snowdon. The Belgian newspaper La Libre Belgique pointed out that the Belgian Defence Minister Pieter De Crem is responsible for the preparations of the commemoration the Centenary of the outbreak of World War I. Nearly 60,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers died in Belgium. Passendale in Western Flanders (English spelling: Passchendaele) was a particularly murderous battle field. The Belgian government is seeking cooperation with Australia and New Zealand in organising commemorative events from 1914 onwards. Australia will also be asked to take a share in the financial burden that highly indebted Belgium does not want to shoulder alone. In July 2007 The Queen of Australia, The Duke of Edinburgh paid their respect to Allied soldiers killed in Passchendaele. Also attending the anniversary was the monarch's representatives in Australia, Governor-General Maj. Gen. Michael Jeffery, and New Zealand Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand. Canada was represented by Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson and Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice.

  

But the Belgian delegation does not only deal with economic and war matters. In Melbourne Prince Philippe will lead a group of university principles of the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) into talks with Melbourne University on 26th November. The prestigious francophone university wants cooperation in research projects. Representatives of Flemish universities are not in the delegation, because, as La Libre Belgique claimed they are too much engaged in Turkey to be interested in Australia. (Les universités flamandes, elles, ne se sont pas inscrites à la mission. Marc Bogaerts, directeur général de l’Agence du Commerce extérieur, justifie leur absence par leur forte participation en Turquie. Les universités francophones ont donc pris le relais.)

Before the delegation leaves for New Zealand, Prince Philippe will have meetings with HE The Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria, and the Honourable Ted Bailleu MP, Premier of Victoria.

Belgium is not high on the Australian agenda. Imports from the European Kingdom rank 28th or 1.7 billion €. The Belgian delegation that is due to arrive tonight could benefit both countries. A hearty welcome to His Royal Highness Prince Philippe:
Monseigneur, soyez le bienvenu en Australie.

Biscuits made in Belgium deserve high praise as a delicious part of the 1.7 billion € exports to Australia. They are available at Woolworths only before Christmas. Be assured: Even republicans like the "Jewels of Belgium".