William Windsor is being projected as the acceptable face of feudalism in a continuing effort to protect the Windsor family’s privileges.
“Prince William determined to tackle republicanism in Australia” was how the monarchist Telegraph newspaper headlined a report on his visit to one of the former colonies that share Britain’s hereditary head of state. According to the Telegraph “On the public stage, the Prince is not expected to address such a controversial issue as republicanism. He will simply try to win over new supporters to the merits of the monarchy and the Commonwealth through his appearances during his three days in the country.”
Mr. Windsor junior is widely seen as having photogenic qualities lacked by his father, who is still entitled to follow Elizabeth Windsor as monarch. He is also better able to charm those who are not offended by his claim to a genetic superiority that entitles him to a privileged part in the government of Britain and a substantial claim on the wealth of the British people.
Australia seems most likely to be the first of the remaining major former colony to replace hereditary right with a democratic head of state. In 1999 a referendum brought the country close to a switch to republican government. If Australia decides to drop the Windsors it will he harder for supporters of feudalism in Britain to hold back the tide.
Recent opinion polls suggest that Australians would prefer William to his father Charles as their head of state. However, polls have also shown 60 per cent of Australians to be supporters of a republic.
Former Australian Republic Movement leader Malcolm Turnball told the British Times newspaper that “The obstacle to Australia becoming a republic is not the charm of princes, but rather the requirement of a ‘double majority’ – not only a majority in a nation-wide referendum but in four out of six states – to change the constitution.”