I agree exactly with Blue Cross;

And personally, the fact that our "Republican" models have;
-no substantial separation between church and state as a driving force
-another stratified figurehead that only serves to drain taxes and symbolically lower us as people to peasants who need a king
-absolutely no democratic reforms or improved accountability
...Ensures my ongoing inability to care one bit about the issue, other than a point of discussion.

Dear Hasbeen,

So true. Her Majesty certainly has a lot of
"class." And that is something that can't be
said for many of the royals. BTW - A pity
that our Pm couldn't do her the courtesy of
a curtsy - after all we're not a Republic - yet.
Bad manners - and no class there.

Sorry Lexi you are wrong
Gillard no mate of mine acted with in excepted protocol.
Its a beat up.
Gillard leads a party that has as its platform REPUBLICANISM.
Aussies are friendly, PK COPED a verbal flogging for? putting his arm around the aging Lady's waist!
Diana's death was a time Lizzie wanted to hide until she was forced in to the spotlight.
What is special about this family? toe sucking, extramarital affairs.
Her great wealth.
At age 4 I remember returned Australian solders,who sat while God save the King was played.
DID Howard curtsy/bow/or shake hands?
Beggar the old girl!
I too would do so, she is nothing more than an old girl who should step a side and let her son have a go.
Who else, do we want Gillard to curtsy to, Americas President?
Go home LIZ take the rude totally insulting bloke you wed with you.

Belly,

It's more about protocol than anything...all a big ritual (which humans seem to enjoy no end)

Since when do reigning monarchs step aside so that their offspring can have a go? (not bloody likely : )

Why protocol at all, filthy rich and supposedly high ranking, means nothing to me. Today is one of those days the world is going to end.

Dear Belly,

As a Prime Minister - personal feelings should not
enter into the way that you behave. The point that
I was merely trying to make was - the Queen is
still Australia's Head Of State - and as such
the Prime Minister according to protocol should
have done her the courtesy in acknwledging that fact
(personal feelings aside). It would have been the gracious
and correct thing to do. If we were a Republic, that
of course would be a different matter altogether.
The private lives of the royals do not come into
this equation.