Most people did not gush over this recent Royal visit, only the media, compared to the 1954 visit very few people attended any function they were at. Perhaps where celebrities are involved the newspapers could have a section devoted to those who wish to read about them, the rest of us could then throw the gushing media reports straight in the rubbish bin, the expenses related to this tour, paid by the Australian taxpayer would have been far better spent on more worthwhile causes, most people were glad when these very rich people left the country, the media then returned sort of to more worthwhile reporting, one cannot understand the poorer sections of the community wanting to line up and greet these people, a new dress each day, how extravagant, when people are starving in the world. Royalty has no place in society now, the sooner a Republic for Australia happens the better

How shallow to attribute the preference for monarchy to some silly celebrity-worship when there are real, grown-up reasons to keep the monarchy intact:

Ideally there should be no head of state, as it presents a risk of tyranny and spreads the bad spirit of nationalism. If however, it's unavoidable and we must have one, then s/he better live in far-off England where s/he can do no harm. Perhaps come to visit now and then, taking photos and kissing babies, that's not going to turn them into dictators in the way an Australian head-of-state could.

I rather hope the cult of celebrity is the main reason for public support for the monarchy. If so, the cold, hard, reality of the prospect of "King Charles" will send people back to the Republican movement in droves!

We already have virtual dictators in power in Australia?
The GST, i.e., was rammed through against the wishes of around 87% of us, with PM Howard, claiming, the people could take him to task over the decision at the next election?
An outcome that was thwarted, by 9/11 and the Tampa incident, and by an opposition that simply folded the tent and went away, when the fight for fairness, had hardly been engaged.
The principle problem was a very clever PM, making it a states' tax, and then leaving them to fight over it, like a bunch of hungry vultures.
And when Howard controlled both houses, we saw work choices rammed down our collective necks, as more unpalatable unwanted legislation yet again. What could we do or say? Click our heels and say, seig hiel, perhaps?
And we remain almost alone, as the one democracy that doesn't have a bill of irrevocable rights, as is the case in many dictatorships.
Nothing would be hurt, if we had a president with the power of veto over any legislation, and just add to the need for politicians to respect the will of the people, and the rights they have trampled over, or just wound back on this or that risible premise?
If we did have an Australian head of state, we would at least have a head, that represented our interests, whenever they were in conflict with those of England! In that possibility, no juxtaposition is possible!
And a bill of irrevocable rights would also limit the personal powers of a President, who would still need to stand in judgement, before those who elected him, and then only for a maximum of two terms!
We are not a Stalinist Russia, with a Stalin worshiping megalomaniac, seeking to entrench himself in power, or confer on himself, the powers of a virtual Czar!?
Rhrosty.

Yes! Yuyutsu the Royal family are dictators, we are aliens when entering England, if she thought anything of you & I she would correct this anomaly now, we are not part of England, this charade put on by the Royals on this visit did not come across as sincere by them, lets smile, shake a few hands, talk prepared crap by the hangers on, mustn't ask questions, at least if it was an Australian President I am sure he would answer questions put to him, the French, Austrians, Russia had the right idea and got rid of these extravagant useless people.

I wouldn't put too much on the Royals recent visit.
It would be a very mean-spirited person who would
try to demean this young family's visit to our
country. It was great entertainment, good for tourism,
great for magazine sales, and gave the media something
else to dwell on apart from political stuff-ups.

The day of the Republic will eventually come. Of that
I have no doubt. It's just that at present there are
more important priorities to deal with - like
issues of pension cuts, cuts to health, education, science,
et cetera.

Most Australians believe that things will come good in
the end. Looking back over the nation's placid history,
it seems an honest philosophy. In Australia, our sense of
identity is still evolving and the challenge is to blend
our different beliefs and the cultural differences they
create into a liberal democracy that we can all share.
Somehow the whole must be preserved while the ingredients and
mix are changed. It won't happen without problems and
some of the problems will remain for decades. But we can
cope with that much. The trick will be to keep it within
bounds and if that is done it will be an achievement to dwarf
even rugby triumphs.