October 26th 2024.
The recent visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Sydney and Canberra for their royal tour of Australia was met with a grand and warm reception. The crowds were filled with cheers and chants of "God save the King", showing the immense love and loyalty towards the royal couple. Amidst all the excitement and fanfare, there was a small group of anti-monarchy protesters who made their voices heard throughout the country.
Despite their vocal resistance, the protesters were overshadowed by the overwhelming support for the King and Queen. However, their message was loudly echoed by Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe, who made a powerful speech about genocide in Parliament House. This controversial protest quickly made international headlines, tarnishing the otherwise successful royal tour.
But for members of the Australian Monarchist League, the protests were not a cause for concern. Damian de Pyle, a veteran and spokesperson for the group in Sydney, remains optimistic. He believes that the positive aspects of the tour will be remembered and not overshadowed by the distractions. He also notes that anti-monarchy sentiments tend to rise during high-profile events like the royal tour, and that they are only a small minority.
De Pyle explains, "I love the King and Queen for the same reason as everyone else. They are a symbol of unity in our country. And if we go by the polls, it seems like most people would still vote for a monarchy."
Patrick Kenny, a member of the AML since the age of 17, shares the same sentiment. He predicts that the republican movement in Australia may die out with the next generation. He also dismisses the protests in Sydney and Canberra as embarrassing for the republicans, believing that people now understand the stability and economic benefits that come with having a constitutional monarchy.
One of the sore points for the anti-monarchy movement is the amount of taxpayer money spent to host the royals during their visit. However, Kenny argues that the cost is minimal compared to the economic and social impact of having the King and Queen in the country. He says, "It's always an economic positive when they come. Just think of the businesses in Sydney and Canberra with everyone out and about."
The Australian Republic Movement, on the other hand, sees the royal visit as a farewell tour, with their supporters making their presence known. They argue that it doesn't make sense for Australia to still have a king and that a foreign monarchy cannot represent the values of fairness, integrity, and democracy in today's society.
According to a survey conducted by YouGov in 2023, 32% of Australians want the country to become a republic, while 35% want to remain under the constitutional monarchy. However, it seems that the majority of Australians believe that the country's time as a constitutional monarchy is coming to an end, with 50% believing that it won't exist in 100 years.
Despite the differing opinions and protests, one thing is for sure – the royal tour of Australia has left a mark in the hearts of many. The King and Queen have been welcomed with open arms and have brought joy and unity to the country, regardless of the debates surrounding the monarchy.
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