22-03-2005 12:41									#1
	Hey Commies! Support Apolyton

Nah....actually I mean those in nations belonging to the (former?) British Commonwealth

Just saw tv news, they had something on Prince Charles and his darling. Not that I care much about it, but they said if Charles becomes king one day, Camilla would automatically become queen unless the parliaments of all Commonwealth members decide against it?!?

This made me think - what meaning has the Commonwealth today? I always thought it is more a symbolic thing or has it any importance in for example political questions?

	22-03-2005 12:42									#2
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

I think that in terms of economics there are alot of preferred relationships that go in the Commonwealth.

	22-03-2005 14:18									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

The commenwealth means: 20 years ago, Brits could vote in the Australian elections. Then that stopped.
60 years ago, we'd automatically go to war to help if you did. That's gone too.
Today, it amounts to 6 month visas for Aussie tourists and the Commenwealth games. Also, the 5 dollar Australian note used to have Queen Liz on one face. That's still legal tender, but methinks its being phased out.

	22-03-2005 15:15									#4
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Colonial swines!

	22-03-2005 15:15									#5
	Get a bigger avatar today!

Damn misleading title.. I was gonna do some bashing... I could bash the British for being British... but that's for another day.

	22-03-2005 15:17									#6
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

You couldn't bash your own skull on a brick wall, quite frankly...

	22-03-2005 15:19									#7
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison You couldn't bash your own skull on a brick wall, quite frankly...

That's because I have some common sense not to risk myself injury. You on the other hand try to break a brick wall by trying to slam into it with your head.

	22-03-2005 15:20									#8
	Put an end to popups!

quote: Originally posted by Giancarlo That's because I have some common sense not to risk myself injury. You on the other hand try to break a brick wall by trying to slam into it with your head.

No, not really...

	22-03-2005 15:32									#9
	Re: Hey Commies! Get a bigger avatar today!

quote: Originally posted by BeBro Nah....actually I mean those in nations belonging to the (former?) British Commonwealth Just saw tv news, they had something on Prince Charles and his darling. Not that I care much about it, but they said if Charles becomes king one day, Camilla would automatically become queen unless the parliaments of all Commonwealth members decide against it?!? This made me think - what meaning has the Commonwealth today? I always thought it is more a symbolic thing or has it any importance in for example political questions?

Definitely not former. What led you to think so?

What you should have got was that for Camilla to be Queen would need nothing. If she marries Charles and he becomes King, she is Queen by default.

What needs change is the idea of consort but not Queen. That is the question.

Why is the Commonwealth important? Well, in 1939 some German adventurer decided that a Polish radio station was a blemish on the world. The Commonwealth went to war to back Britain in that case.

Today the Commonwealth has less pull, but such an effect is not entirely gone. When the Argentines invaded a sheep farm, the Govt of Canada offered assistance to Her Majesties Government. We were turned down, we believe because the Brits wanted all the sheep to themselves.

Pick a fight with New Zealand. Go ahead, I dare ya. You might not like the reaction.

Aside from that, the monarchy is important to our laws and peaceful government. The monarch fills the place of presidents as head of state. There are legalities and formalities that surround the monarch. That is why the relationship of Charles and Camilla is of interest outside of the British tabloids.

	22-03-2005 16:35									#10
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Personally, I want NZ to become a Republic.

	22-03-2005 16:44									#11
	Increase Your PM Length

quote: Originally posted by Flip McWho Personally, I want NZ to become a Republic.

Pros and cons, in a nutshell, please.

	22-03-2005 17:09									#12
	Re: Hey Commies! Inflate your Upload Space

quote: Originally posted by BeBro Nah....actually I mean those in nations belonging to the (former?) British Commonwealth Just saw tv news, they had something on Prince Charles and his darling. Not that I care much about it, but they said if Charles becomes king one day, Camilla would automatically become queen unless the parliaments of all Commonwealth members decide against it?!?

the short answer is your tv news got it wrong, she'll never become Queen, in the same way that the Queen's husband (prince philip) isn't king.

	22-03-2005 17:26									#13
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

No, the news was right. She'll be Queen because the King's wife is automatically Queen unless we change the law to allow her to have a different title. Regardless in that case the King is the head of state. The "all commonwealth members" bit is new to me though.

	22-03-2005 17:29									#14
	Support Apolyton

Prince Philip isn't king - but it's different if the Queen is the head of state. Having a Queen who's head of state with a consort as husband is the exception not the norm. Normal case is King = Head of state, Queen his wife.

	23-03-2005 13:05									#15
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

quote: Originally posted by MikeH The "all commonwealth members" bit is new to me though.

I think it's more an observation, rather inaccurately stated, that what the Brits do has an impact beyond your shores.

Usually it is Westminster alone where any such question would be decided if it needed deciding. However, any decision would effect all Commonwealth states that keep the monarch as head of state, obviously.

Just a strange thought though, what happens if New Zealand and Canada recognise Camilla as Queen after Westminster says otherwise? I don't think it's possible. Part of the Constitutional order would have to be recognising the decisions of Westminster and the Palace.

Welcome to empire.

	23-03-2005 13:36									#16
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

quote: Welcome to empire.

I WILL BE QUEEN!

	23-03-2005 13:37									#17
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by Saras Pros and cons, in a nutshell, please.

Pros - None really... Republicans would say we can finally change our flag but only a minority of commenwaelth countries actually still have the UJ on their flag.

Cons - New tender needs to be produced, loss of allies and friends and loss of a political voice at CHOGM, loss of a safeguard against a dictatorship.

	23-03-2005 15:00									#18
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by notyoueither I think it's more an observation, rather inaccurately stated, that what the Brits do has an impact beyond your shores.

That makes sense.

Basically the King's wife's official title is Queen, due to a 1936 ruling. That's the law. We only need to change the law if she's to be NOT known as Queen.

However, if Camilla wants to be known as "Princess Consort" she can be - she can ask to be called whatever she wants. Her official title will be Queen though, unless we change the law.

	23-03-2005 15:05									#19
	Got spare money?

Oh... I must have been posting about that last night. Don't remember that at all!

	23-03-2005 15:18									#20
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

Beer is a wonderful thing. I hear the Queen even gives royal commissions for brewing it.

	23-03-2005 15:32									#21
	Put an end to popups!

I'm not even drinking at the moment.

It's sleep deprivation

	23-03-2005 15:33									#22
	Suffering from ads?

I'll crack a cold one for ya.

	23-03-2005 16:17									#23
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Back on the beers tomorrow. I've been ill.