In January Prince William will embark on his first official tour of the Commonwealth with the stated goal of beginning “to get to know Australia.” After opening the new Supreme Court in New Zealand, the young prince will travel to Sydney and Melbourne. HRH last visited the country in 1983 as an infant with his parents. The trip will most likely renew the debate around Australia’s status as a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of both New Zealand and Australia, and is quite popular down under. Prince Minister Kevin Rudd is a republican but has said that cutting ties with the British monarchy is not a priority.
The exact itinerary has yet to be flushed out but the trip “originated from a request to the government of Australia by Prince William to visit the country so as to being to get to know Australia and its people.” Most likely to be on the agenda are the Prince’s priorities of supporting defense personnel, helping young people fulfill their potential, and sustainable development.
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