A week ago there was an article in The Punch, an Australian site which many of you had difficulty with when I gave a link to an earlier article about Michael Clarke. This article was about the monarchy and the “forth-coming” wedding – the author was, shall we say, not in favour of either. Many comments followed, most of which were unexceptional or irrelevant – that is, they were mainly off-thread, debating the merits or otherwise of certain UK national newspapers.
But then came this gem from a British gentleman (I swear I have not edited a single word) –
Sean Williams says:
I am British. Like many millions of my compatriots I am no fan of the royals. But it does get my back up when foreigners, usually Australians, come up with these snide comments. Yes the concept of royalty is ridiculous. No-one knows this more than the British themselves. Of course many will get into the spirit of the wedding but in reality, in my experience, the majority of Britons are either opposed to or apathetic about the monarchy. Until you no longer have one from the other side of the world as your head of state, or have a wedding in your country that attracts as much global interest and fascination (come on Oz where is the next Scott and Charlene coming from?) I would suggest you keep your potshots to yourselves.
This comment evoked immediate responses from some true blue Aussie blokes. I particularly liked the last one, but they all made me smile. Hands off our Aussie Queen!
KH says:
Hey mate – they are our head of state too, and if we want to take the piss, we will take the bloody piss. If we want to criticise, we will. If we want to point out that heredity monarchy is as stupid as hereditary doctor, or hereditary airline steward, then we will. If you don’t like it, go back to Britain.
Erick says:
Sean, we Aussies can say whatever we like about OUR royal family. If you don’t like OUR monarchy, feel free to leave.
BJ says:
Surely not JUST Australians making snide comments Sean? And not all Australians dislike the Royals or make snide comments about them. Not a good idea to generalise on this site mate. You’ll be flamed & you’ll deserve it. Be more specific with your opinions . There’s a good chap
Captain Obvious says:
I like chocolate cake
The Chariot still has a long way to fall! 😀
Boadicea's Chariot 
I rather liked this comment:
Brilliant!
Two nations separated by a common royal family, to bastardise a better known phrase!
Bearsy – are you BJ in disguise? 😀
Incidently B&B, I note with interest your two-faced ineffective Greenist PM (OK, so ours isn’t any better) met the queen after the ceremony. Apparently she declined to bow to the Queen due to her republican beliefs. Was that reported down under? Seems she wants to have her cake and eat it!
Cuprum
I have no idea whether the fact that Juliar did not curtsey or bow to the Queen was reported here. All I saw was her smug face as she entered the Abbey… I’m not prone to violence – but if ever a face invited a punch hers did 🙂
Thanks Bearsy – yes it did make me laugh! I loved the “Hey mate…” rant.
Don’t know if it’s of any comfort to an Aussie sports fan, but the lad with the odd hairdo who knocked Australia’s Neil Robertson out of the snooker World Championship was himself beaten in the final by a fairly dour Scot, John Higgins.
I did like the comments from The Punch.
Cuprum – BJ is not me, I assure you; honestly! 😎
When I comment on Australian sites I appear as “Bearsy from Brisbane”.